- AT&T was named best network by Rootmetrics, while T-Mobile claims the Speedtest crown, showing there’s no single “best” carrier for everyone.
- Different awards use different methods, so the right carrier depends on your priorities and where you live.
- Local coverage varies a lot, so always check how each carrier performs in your area before deciding.
Recently, Rootmetrics awarded AT&T as the best network for the first half of 2025. This might sound strange if you’ve seen T-Mobile’s latest ads, which claim that after years of Verizon being on top, the Uncarrier now holds the crown. So which is it, AT&T or T-Mobile? And where does Verizon stand in all of this? The truth is, there’s really no such thing as “the best” network; the right choice depends on your needs and location.
First, it helps to understand there’s more than one major report carriers use to declare themselves the best. T-Mobile’s results come from the Ookla Speedtest Awards, while AT&T’s victory is thanks to Rootmetrics. These two testing systems use different methods. Ookla’s Speedtest Awards rely mostly on user-initiated test results, while Rootmetrics combines crowdsourced data with independent, on-the-ground testing, which some people consider more thorough.