Which wireless carrier has the best network Depends on who you ask
0Which wireless carrier has the best network Depends on who you ask.
For a very long time, the answer to the question in the headline was a simple one. Verizon (NYSE: VZ) was the clear leader in network quality with AT&T (NYSE: T) falling not-far behind.
In recent years, however, the picture has become murkier. One well-regarded study, the RootMetrics Mobile Performance in the U.S. report calls Verizon "the undisputed leader in terms of coverage and network reliability." It also notes that the company's "network reliability results were the strongest among all carriers at the metro, state, and national levels in the second half of 2016."
That sounds pretty clear, but RootMetrics is not the only game in town. A second well-regarded study from OpenSignal showed T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) as having the best network last year and the new version of that study shows an overwhelming win for the Un-Carrier.
RootMetrics and OpenSignal use different methodologies to gather their results. Both believe they have the superior testing method.