Using regular, over-the-counter smartphones, 21,012 tests were undertaken measuring call performance (dropped and blocked calls), mobile internet speeds (both upload and downloads) and text performance (delivery speed and failed texts) across Manchester and surrounding areas. Using this data, RootMetrics was able to show the Blues have ‘Eti-had it’ when it comes to mobile internet[i] with average speeds down 10% on their United rivals. The tests were carried out before EE launched its 4G network.
On both mobile download and upload speeds, historically Red friendly postcodes regularly passed 2.0 Mbps average download rates, while of the traditionally City-supporting areas, only Tameside regularly gets above 2.0 Mbps. Wigan, which according to a survey from the Manchester Evening News is a heavily City-supporting area, is the slowest of the bunch when it comes to downloads, about 17% behind United’s heartland in Salford.
In terms of call service, United and their ‘noisy neighbours’ are about equal, though City stalwarts in Tameside get the poorest service of all, with 1 in every 10 (10.7%) calls dropped or blocked (average across all networks). For United, Trafford received the highest percentage of dropped calls (6.6%).
Looking at other old rivalries, Rochdale thrashes Bury. It’s mobile internet is 17% faster on download speeds, and calls from Rochdale fail just 3.0% of the time while Bury calls fail 5.7% of the time. But if it’s any consolation, people in Bury will be able to respond quickly to any taunts from their old foes because they can upload un-flattering Facebook pictures just as quickly as anyone in Rochdale.
While light-hearted, these contrasts underline a serious point, that mobile coverage across the area and between operators is not equal. Three and Vodafone provide the best service overall on average scoring 84 and 81 respectively, with T-Mobile (91) and Three (91) drawing to offer the best service when it comes to calls. Vodafone (79) was deemed joint best with Three (76) when it comes to mobile internet. T-Mobile was the slowest network, offering download speeds of 1.5 Mbps. That means uploading a medium-sized photo to Facebook would take well over 25 seconds.