Verizon was on the top step in 47 of 49 markets tested so far by RootMetrics through the second half of 2016, with AT&T a distant No. 2

This may sound like a broken record, but Verizon Wireless looks set to continue leading its nationwide rivals in network performance ratings conducted by RootMetrics.

Through nearly 40% of markets tested in its second half of 2016 testing, Verizon Wireless had a top overall or share of the top overall score in 47 of 49 markets tested by RootMetrics. San Antonio and Las Vegas were the only two markets tested to this point where the carrier was not on top.

AT&T Mobility continues to hold down a distant No. 2 ranking in the RootMetrics testing protocol, with a top overall score in 19 of the 49 markets tested. Though it should be noted it managed to take a lone top score in the two markets where Verizon Wireless failed to lead.

T-Mobile US and Sprint continue to battle for the No. 3 spot – or to stay out of the basement – with the former currently holding a top overall score in four markets, while Sprint is on top in just two markets.

RootMetrics typically tests mobile network performance both indoors and outdoors across 125 markets, and across five metrics: network reliability, network speed, data performance, call performance and text performance.

Despite a top ranking across the vast majority of metro markets tested so far, RootMetrics also takes into account state- and national-level testing in granting its overall National Report ranking, thus the metro testing so far is not indicative of where Verizon Wireless or the other carriers will end up in the final report. But history has shown that taking the temperature of those ongoing tests has linked closely with final results.

In its latest full testing regime conducted during the first half of this year, Verizon Wireless scored the top position nationwide with an “overall” RootScore of 93.9. AT&T Mobility came in at No. 2 with a score of 89.9, followed by Sprint with a score of 85.5 and T-Mobile US with a score of 82.5.

Focusing on performance across 125 metro areas tested, Verizon Wireless scored outright wins or tied for the top spot in 98 markets; AT&T Mobility was the outright winner or tied for the top spot in 51 markets; T-Mobile US managed a top ranking in 40 markets; and Sprint scored a top spot in six markets. Those results showed significant improvements for T-Mobile US, which managed a top placing in just 17 markets in the previous round of testing, while Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility both lost some ground and Sprint stayed the same.

“The high level results show that Verizon remains the top carrier when it comes to overall network performance at the national level,” RootMetrics noted of its last full testing results. “In fact, this round of testing marked the first time that Verizon was able to earn the National RootScore Award for all six categories outright.”

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