Verizon, AT&T top NC wireless performance; Sprint surging

Isn’t having multiple choices for wireless service a good thing?

Choice means competition, and that means better offers, better networks, better devices, more services …

Just look at the latest report from RootMetrics and its “RootScore” data for proof.

AT&T has rallied to regain a share of first place with Verizon in overall wireless performance across North Carolina, according to the latest test data from RootMetrics. But the independent testing firm’s data shows Sprint is gaining ground.

In fact, Sprint took top honors in the “call performance” category.

T-Mobile is showing improvement as well.

The tightness reflects recent testing in specific metro markets as well, such as in Raleigh in November when AT&T was judged the leader.

Nationally, Verizon took the top spot in the second half of testing in 2014. RootMetrics awarded Verizon a score of 93.9 with AT&T second at 91.7, Sprint third at 86.6 and T-Mobile fourth at 84.

Tight Race in N.C.

In North Carolina, the competition is even tighter.

RootMetrics assigns scores in overall performance, reliability, speed, data. call performance and text. The latest report is based on 177,516 tests at 199 indoor locations and gathered through 7,516 miles of travel.

And the overall winner?

A tie with Verizon at 91.2 and AT&T 91.1.

But the trend is not good for Verizon, the nation’s largest provider.

Verizon’s performance dipped from 96.1 in the first half of the year and is also down from 94.1 in the second half of 2013.

AT&T’s score fell at the end of 2013 from 96.6 when it was the winner to 90.8 in the first half of last year.

Sprint is on a roll with an 87.1 performance in the second half of 2014. That’s up from 80.1 in the first half of the year and 74.9 in the last half of 2013.

T-Mobile also has shown improvement from 69.9 to 74.1 to 75.3 over the last three tests.

Here’s how RootMetrics broke down the NC competition by category:

Reliability: