Latest RootMetrics Test: Verizon Aces Every Category

RootMetrics has published the results of its latest round of wireless tests (for the first six months of 2016), and industry leader Verizon Wireless has come out on top in virtually every category. Apart from bagging the best overall performance title, the Big Red also managed to capture the best marks in terms of network reliability, connection speed, data, voice calling, and text messaging. AT&T, considered the second biggest wireless carrier in the United States behind Verizon Wireless, found itself in the runner up spot in every category save for voice calls, which was nabbed by Sprint.

RootMetrics’ wireless tests for the first half of this year produced results that were not that much different from the previous outing. In the firm’s test results for the second half of 2015, Verizon Wireless also dominated nearly all categories. As industry leader, Verizon Wireless already holds the advantage of having the largest customer base, and the results of RootMetrics’ tests only gives the Big Red more bragging rights.

The wireless tests conducted by RootMetrics are far from being the only means of measuring the quality or success of mobile operators in America. But they do carry some weight, especially in an industry as competitive as wireless, wherein every other player is trying to convince every mobile user out there that their service is the best available. For Verizon Wireless, the results of RootMetrics’ latest tests could help it justify the premium it charges its subscribers -- after all, it can argue that because it provides the best service among carriers, customers should only pay the right price for this kind of quality.

As for RootMetrics, naturally it is not the only firm out there that conducts wireless tests. What makes these things so interesting is that different tests conducted by different firms often lead to different results. For instance, OpenSignal’s latest test named T-Mobile as the one with the best overall network, while yet another firm, Speedtest, also picks T-Mobile as the fastest in the business.

Of course, varying results are mainly due to varying methodologies in conducting said tests. RootMetrics makes full use of test vans and professional testers that utilize a standard set of handsets, while OpenSignal and Speedtest collects data from regular mobile users in the real world environment. Sometimes the tests themselves get some flak from the carriers -- T-Mobile has criticized RootMetrics for publishing results that may not be updated because the tests are done twice a year.