RootMetrics puts "Big Three" mobile carriers to the test in Canada

Today, independent mobile analytics firm RootMetrics® released three reports sharing results from comprehensive testing done in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto on the performance of Canada’s “Big Three” mobile carriers. According to 47,495 data, call and text tests designed to replicate real-world consumer behavior, Bell, Rogers and Telus showed strong and similar performances in each market, offering Canadians outstanding coverage and lightning-fast data speeds. In fact, the LTE download and upload speeds RootMetrics found on each carrier’s network were faster than the LTE speeds RootMetrics has seen in many major cities in the US and UK.

This is RootMetrics’ first set of reports on Canada’s mobile experience. The company also provides ongoing reports for both the US and UK wireless carriers.

All Three Carriers Finish Neck and Neck in Vancouver, BC
In Vancouver, all three of the national carriers delivered statistically comparable results in the combined performance category, which includes data, call and text results. The final combined performance category results for Vancouver:

– Bell (98.1)
– Rogers (97.5)
– Telus (98.2)
[All scores are statistically tied]

Bell is Tops in Montreal and Toronto
In the Montreal market, Bell won the RootScore Award in the combined performance category. Bell placed first in the call and data categories, and all three networks offered comparable results in the text category.

The final combined performance category results for Montreal:
1 – Bell (100.3)
2 – Rogers (99.2)
3 – Telus (98.8)

In the Toronto market, too, Bell was the top-performing carrier in the combined category. Bell also placed first in the call category, but Rogers came out on top in data. Rogers and Bell tied in the text category.

Combined performance results in Toronto:
1 – Bell (99.0)
2 – Rogers (97.0)
3 – Telus (94.4)

“In Canada, the three major carriers all tout LTE service, and our testing shows that the Big Three are delivering when it comes to strong-performing carriers,” said Bill Moore, CEO and President of RootMetrics. “With these reports, we want to give people an easy way to see beyond the hype to get a true understanding of how the carriers are really performing. The good news for people in Canada’s three largest cities is that they have their pick of good options.”

Canadians Benefit from Fast Data Speeds
The average download speeds on all network technologies (not purely LTE) ranged from Bell’s speedy 19.3 Mbps in Toronto to Rogers’ blazing-fast 33.0 Mbps, also in Toronto. The average upload speeds were likewise impressive. On the low end, Rogers registered an impressive 6.9 Mbps on average upload speeds in Vancouver, while Bell and Telus each had average upload speeds a tick above 13.0 Mbps in Montreal.

At these speeds, people could typically upload a photo to Facebook and download a song in less than 1 second.

Average download and upload speeds:

Vancouver
Bell: 22.3 Mbps/10.5 Mbps
Rogers: 30.8 Mbps/6.9 Mbps
Telus: 24.0 Mbps/9.8 Mbps

Montreal
Bell: 21.6Mbps/13.4 Mbps
Rogers: 32.6 Mbps/7.3 Mbps
Telus: 29.1 Mbps/13.2 Mbps

Toronto
Bell: 19.3 Mbps/11.8 Mbps
Rogers: 33.0 Mbps/7.7 Mbps
Telus: 21.3 Mbps/11.1 Mbps

Reliability and Speed
RootMetrics recently introduced two standalone indices within the RootScore Reports that give consumers a clear view of each network’s reliability and speed performances. The Network Reliability Index is based on a combination of results from data, call, and text tests, while the Network Speed Index includes data and text results. Looking at the network reliability and speed indices in conjunction with Combined RootScores offers the most comprehensive look at a typical mobile experience.

Vancouver
In Vancouver, Bell and Telus shared the highest rank for network reliability, with Rogers as the outright leader in network speed.

Network Reliability Index for Vancouver:
1 – Bell: 97.2
2 – Telus: 96.5
3 – Rogers: 95.0

Network Speed Index for Vancouver:
1 – Rogers: 106.1
2 – Telus: 103.1
3 – Bell: 100.7

Montreal
In Montreal, Bell ranked highest in network reliability, while Telus ranked highest in network speed.

Network Reliability Index for Montreal:
1 – Bell: 98.9
2 – Rogers: 96.6
3 – Telus: 94.5

Network Speed Index for Montreal:
1 – Telus: 111.8
2 – Rogers: 107.6
3 – Bell: 105.4

Toronto
In Toronto, Bell took the top ranking in network reliability, and Rogers ranked highest in network speed.

Network Reliability Index for Toronto:
1 – Bell: 98.4
2 – Rogers: 94.1
3 – Telus: 91.0

Network Speed Index for Toronto:
1 – Rogers: 108.9
2 – Telus: 101.2
3 – Bell: 100.5

More than 45,000 tests in Canada’s three largest metro areas
To evaluate the mobile experience in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto, RootMetrics conducted 47,495 call, data, and text tests on the networks of Bell, Rogers and Telus during all hours of the day and night. Testing took place in Vancouver from August 2 – August 7, 2013, in Montreal from August 22 – August 30, 2013 and in Toronto from August 11 – August 18, 2013. The tests were conducted using the RootMetrics RootScout app running on Android-based, off-the-shelf consumer smartphones purchased from carrier stores. Tests were conducted both indoors and outdoors during drive tests. Mobile performance varies depending on where people live, work, or otherwise spend time. Because a variety of factors can influence performance, examples that show what data speeds mean while performing various mobile activities are a general look at data speeds for illustrative purposes and aren’t specific to each of the three cities. For details about the results, see the methodology section of the online reports.

About RootMetrics®
Based in Bellevue, Wash., RootMetrics® is an independent mobile analytics and testing company that provides accurate and unbiased mobile performance data with market-specific RootScore Reports, coverage maps, and a free downloadable CoverageMap app for use on either Android or iOS devices. To ensure that RootMetrics testing reflects a typical consumer’s mobile experience, testing is conducted based on where, when, and how consumers use their devices most often.

SOURCE RootMetrics