RootMetrics awards AT&T, but Verizon and T-Mobile have strengths

AT&T has asserted its dominance in US mobile network performance, according to RootMetrics awards for the second half of 2024. The telecom giant swept six of eight awards, continuing its run as a favourite for overall reliability and speed.

However, competitors T-Mobile and Verizon showcased their own strengths—particularly in urban speed and accessibility.

RootMetrics awarded AT&T six US RootScore Awards, including outright wins in overall performance, reliability, speed, and data performance. The network also snagged shared victories in call and text performance, underscoring its all-round strength.

AT&T continues its streak

AT&T has now won the US Speed RootScore Award for the eighth consecutive time, supported by its robust 5th percentile network speeds. 

Jenifer Robertson, Executive VP and GM of Mass Markets at AT&T, said: “With our industry-leading networks in both wireless and internet, we enhance the customer experience by delivering seamless connectivity at home, work, and on the go.

“These recent awards confirm what we already know: AT&T provides the fastest, most reliable connectivity, backed by the AT&T Guarantee.”

However, while AT&T clinched the Speed Award due to its 5th percentile results, T-Mobile and Verizon delivered faster median download speeds at the national level.

Formidable competition for RootMetrics awards

Verizon was a formidable competitor, taking home four US RootScore awards and finishing second in every category where it didn’t win outright. 

Joe Russo, Executive VP & President of Global Network and Technology at Verizon, commented: “Our priority is delivering the best, most reliable, secure 5G network experience for our customers.

“This recognition from RootMetrics reflects our dedication to staying ahead of the curve through technology innovation and ensuring our customers can always count on us. It’s why more customers trust us than any other carrier in the nation.”

While T-Mobile ranked third in six national categories, its consistent speed achievements stood out. The network delivered an aggregate median download speed of 350.9 Mbps, which was more than double the speeds of both AT&T and Verizon. 

T-Mobile’s 5G prowess also shone brightly in metropolitan areas, where it achieved median download speeds of at least 100 Mbps in all 125 markets tested. In 122 of those cities, speeds exceeded 200 Mbps—a figure that surpassed Verizon’s 61-city tally and AT&T’s 106. 

Furthermore, T-Mobile was also the only carrier to hit over 500 Mbps in 22 markets.

State-level performance: AT&T versus Verizon

AT&T led the way in state-specific testing, securing 278 State RootScore Awards to just edge out Verizon’s total of 264. T-Mobile, for comparison, earned 73.

Verizon excelled in certain key categories at the state level, including accessibility (43 awards) and video performance (37 awards). Both Verizon and AT&T claimed an equal number of State Data RootScore Awards (27 each), while T-Mobile lagged behind with eight.

Despite its fewer overall awards, T-Mobile held its own in accessibility and speed categories—earning 22 and 16 state-level accolades, respectively. The carrier’s focus on speed ensured it remained competitive against its rivals.

Verizon dominates RootMetrics awards in major cities

In metropolitan markets, Verizon reinforced its urban dominance—racking up 874 RootScore Awards across 125 markets. This represented a gain from 838 awards during the first half of 2024 (1H 2024) and significantly higher than both AT&T (513) and T-Mobile (463).

Verizon achieved median download speeds of at least 100 Mbps in 109 cities and exceeded speeds of 200 Mbps in 61—up from the 56 cities reported in the 1H 2024 testing cycle.

AT&T showed progress as well, increasing its number of markets with 100 Mbps downloads from 92 in 1H 2024 to 106 in 2H 2024. 

Nevertheless, T-Mobile was the undisputed leader in urban speed.

T-Mobile’s median downloads reached at least 100 Mbps in every city tested, and, as noted earlier, 122 of those cities saw median speeds upwards of 200 Mbps. Once again, the carrier uniquely achieved over 500 Mbps in 22 metros, making it a clear choice for customers prioritising ultra-fast connectivity.

Diverse strengths among rivals

RootMetrics’ 2H 2024 findings highlight a fiercely competitive market in which carriers show distinct strengths. 

• AT&T cemented its reputation for reliable, balanced, and consistent performance, excelling at both the national and state levels. 
• Verizon continues to lead urban testing, offering strong download speeds and accessibility in major cities. 
• T-Mobile’s speed dominance continues, especially in metro areas, making it a favourite for users who demand fast downloads and seamless streaming.

With carriers investing heavily in expanding their 5G capabilities and strengthening customer experiences, we look forward to seeing how the market shifts in H1 2025.

See also: T-Mobile expands Starlink beta to AT&T and Verizon

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Tags: 5G, connectivity, mobile, network, Networks, report, research, RootMetrics, speed test, study, telecoms, usa