Two new studies from the mobile analystics company RootMetrics have been released with a look at how network carriers performed through the first-half of 2024.
The first study took a look at the state of 5G connectivity in the United States. T-Mobile took top spots for speed and coverage in a speed study from Ookla. Surprisingly, and for the first time in awhile, a different network carrier took the top spot in RootMetrics' 5G testing.
Of the three major metrics that were looked at, Verizon was awarded the winner in two: speed and reliability. T-Mobile won for availability, confirming data from the previous Ookla report. AT&T was generally in third place.
It's a pretty significant shift from the 2023 report that came out earlier this year. In that study, T-Mobile was tops in availability and speed. Verizon still won for reliability in that study.
Across the board, what seemed to separate Verizon from its competitors was the company's network speed outside of major metropolitan areas. Seemingly, the big 3 carriers all have very similar performance in cities, but once you leave high-population centers it can get more spread out.
Based on the most current study and the earlier 2023 one, the difference is what data Rootmetrics used. Previous studies apparently mostly just looked at metropolitan areas or combined urban stats and rural stats.
The newer study separated out data for rural areas and shows a marked difference between the carriers as they get away from cities.
Accordingly, Verizon also won its seventh straight "Most Reliable 5G" award from RootMetrics, which was bolstered by the new inclusion of rural scores in this year's study.
Perhaps T-Mobile will catch up as the company is showing a commitment to be available everywhere.
The second study from the firm was on the state of mobile through the first half of the year.
For the most part its a summary of "awards" for how each carrier performed in various markets across the country. However, there are some insights that can be gleaned.
T-Mobile continued to have the best download speed across major markets capable of hitting 100 Mbps in every market.
In general, every company was able to improve their download speeds, though AT&T trailed the other two by quite the margin in most tests. Though the report claimed that AT&T performed better in categories like call and text performance.
Should you consider switching carriers if the numbers speak to you?
Perhaps. Verizon appears to have the most consistence performance across the board, while AT&T looks to be decent at everything, and T-Mobile has the coverage and speed.
None of that guarantees that you will be able to connect to the network and get those services. Tom's Guide editor Mark Spoonauer recently switched from Verizon to T-Mobile and found that his devices did not enjoy the speed and coverage that the network supposedly provides.
And they are close enough in score that you should find pretty good service everywhere, especially metropolitan areas.
If the network isn't working, you could always check out some of the best carriers that aren't the big three.
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