T-Mobile is wasting no time expanding — and solidifying — its 5G network in the U.S. following its recently completed merger with Sprint. The two companies, now one, are combining their networks following the landmark merger.
On Tuesday, T-Mobile announced that its 5G 2.5 GHz mid-band spectrum is now live in parts of Philadelphia, offering T-Mobile customers with compatible 5G phones the opportunity to take advantage of the new super-speedy connectivity — with peaks of nearly 600 Mbps.
“Connectivity is more important than ever today, and the challenging time we’re all facing shows just how critical 5G for All is,” said Neville Ray, T-Mobile President of Technology, in a statement. “While our amazing team safely works to keep people across the country connected to work, school and family, we aren’t slowing down on building out the broad and deep network that only this combined company can deliver. We won’t stop because this network can do so much GOOD across the country!”
This is the first step in supercharging T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G network, combining its assets with those of Sprint. A press release published Tuesday said that customers in New York will also soon have access to low-band, mid-band and mmWave 5G. This will increase coverage for millions of customers. T-Mobile also says it is activating 5G network nodes in Detroit, St. Louis and Columbus, Ohio.
T-Mobile is also opening its LTE network to Sprint customers to use when they roam. This should mean double the number of LTE sites next to Sprint’s current network.
For most Apple users, the big 5G news will come later this year when Apple releases its first 5G iPhone models. According to a report this week, Apple is ordering large numbers of these handsets, banking on the fact that this will be a major selling point for iPhone customers. But thanks to the work of companies like the newly combined T-Mobile, the infrastructure will be there to support it when it does.
Are you excited at the prospect of 5G? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
