How Network Testing Methods Shape U.S. Mobile Rankings
New mobile performance reports from Ookla show U.S. carriers ranking differently depending on how speeds are measured.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2026 – U.S. mobile carriers posted divergent results across two major network performance reports covering the second half of 2025, with rankings shifting depending on whether data came from millions of consumer speed tests or from structured, on-the-ground measurements conducted by professional testers.
Ookla’s Speedtest Connectivity Report for July through December 2025 draws on millions of user-initiated tests collected through its Speedtest app, reflecting real-world experiences across devices, locations, and service plans.
By contrast, Ookla’s RootMetrics State of the Mobile Union Report relies on controlled drive and walk testing using standardized devices and routes to assess network performance under consistent conditions.
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