Bell Mobility currently edges out all other carrier networks in terms of overall performance, speed and reliability, according to one mobile network research firm.
The report, titled The RootMetrics 2015 Canadian Mobile Network Performance Review, is a study RootMetrics touts as a comprehensive study of Canadian mobile performance. The study purports to deliver an “unbiased, real-world picture of mobile performance in Canada.”
Industry organization RootMetrics collected and crowdsourced mobile network performance information, with more than 214,000 call, data, and text tests performed across more than 30,000 kilometres and in some 500 indoor locations. While scoring was close across all categories among Canada’s major network carriers — the big three operators (Bell, Rogers, and Telus) along with regional operators Videotron and Wind where available — the survey revealed that Bell led the way in factors such as speed and LTE reliability.
“Although we found strong performances from all three of the big Canadian operators, Bell earned the most RootScore Awards across our metro area testing. In Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto, and Winnipeg, Bell especially stood out, tying for first across all six categories that we test,” the firm said in a statement.
Highlights from the report include:
- Bell, Telus, and Rogers all excelled; however, Bell did win the most awards here, too, with a total of 38
- Rogers recorded the fastest median download speed anywhere in the country at 41.8 Mbps in Toronto
- Videotron was a top contender in three metro areas where it operates (Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City)
- Wind still has a lot of ground to make up where it operates
According to the report, Rogers delivered a strong showing and tied in the call and text performance categories —offering the “most robust” LTE access in metro regional testing — and narrowly trailed the leaders across all other categories. Telus ranked close behind Bell, ranking in a first-place tie in network reliability, call and text performance.
Rounding out the pack was Wind; with its slower network speeds and lack of LTE, the provider appears to be emphasizing value over speed and performance, noted the firm.
“Bell’s top ranking reflects our strategy to lead investment in Canada’s broadband networks and communications R&D,” said Jason Laszlo, spokesperson for Bell.