T-Mobile has worked steadily to execute on its three-layer 5G coverage plan with a base of extended range coverage with more populated areas getting a rapid upgrade to mid-band Ultra Capacity 5G. T-Mobile has been able to use millimeter wave in a few areas. With a strong lead in coverage and plenty of capacity to keep improving, T-Mobile is in a strong position to be a leader in 5G for the next few years.

T-Mobile has a low-band network built on its 600MHz band n 71 spectrum that most people are covered by. T-Mobile has coverage on this band. T-Mobile has been able to upgrade its existing towers with 5G equipment and provide the same level of coverage people have come to expect from 3G and 4G because of Extended Range 5G.

Ultra Mobile Review Speedtest n41

(Image credit: Samuel Contreras / Android Central)

Over 200 million people are covered by T-Mobile's Extended Range 5G with Ultra Capacity. T-Mobile customers in urban and suburban areas are starting to see improved speeds due to the Ultra Capacity network. T-Mobile has upgraded its network to 5G, which means that your phone doesn't need to connect to an existing network to use it.

Carrier aggregation has been used by T-Mobile to improve performance. Carrier aggregation uses two or more bands to create a higher-speed connection than would be possible on a single band.

RECOMMENDED VIDEOS FOR YOU...

The best way to find out if you are covered is to look at the T-Mobile coverage map. T-Mobile shows the places where it has Ultra Capacity 5G on its map so you can get a good idea of what speeds will be available to you.

Our initial tests were not that impressive, but we have seen improved results since.

T-Mobile is building a 5G network in a few cities. The deployment of 5G is on the bands N 260 and N 261. New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Dallas, Cleveland, and Atlanta are some of the cities that have 5G coverage. The C-band spectrum will be used to add capacity in a few areas where T-Mobile expects high traffic.

T-Mobile 5G comparison map

(Image credit: T-Mobile)

Which phones work with T-Mobile 5G?

Depending on the software and hardware, T-Mobile phones can be used on different networks. Most of the best phones will work with T-Mobile's 5G. If you're buying a new phone, it should have 5G because T-Mobile has growing coverage.

To make sure you get the best results from T-Mobile, make sure your new phone supports both band n41 and band n 71. The majority of newer 5G phones will support the full network.

T-Mobile is using the 2.5 GHz spectrum it got from Sprint to bolster its own 5G network and, to do so, has taken the Sprint 5G network down. The update that enabled access to T-Mobile's 5G network was only for customers with the S20 device. T-Mobile will not be giving an update to older devices like the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G.

Google Pixel 6 Pro Display Home Red Blue

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

All T-Mobile plans come with 5G

T-Mobile plans can access the 5G network, which is great since there are some of the best cell phone plans you can get. T-Mobile makes no distinction between its networks, so any customer with a compatible phone should be able to access it, even if they have a premium plan. This has been carried over to T-Mobile and other providers. T-Mobile has enabled 5G on all of its plans.

With the goal of eventually moving all of its customers to its own 5G network, Boost Mobile is transitioning its customers to the new T-Mobile network. This network has been demonstrated in Las Vegas, but it is not known how it will perform once launched.

What tech is T-Mobile using for 5G?

T-Mobile band 41 5G on Ultra Mobile

(Image credit: Samuel Contreras / Android Central)

5G comes in a variety of forms and results depending on what resources a carrier can throw at it. T-Mobile had high-band 5G on both the 28 and 32 GHz bands. Once the network has more time to mature, T-Mobile should be competitive with what AT&T has been doing. The deployment should be capable of very high speeds, but building penetration and coverage are less than we are used to with 4G.

T-Mobile launched a 600Mhz, low-band, Extended Range 5G network in December of 2019. T-Mobile was able to update its 4G service on the same tower with new equipment. The low-band 5G networks have the same coverage capabilities as the high-band networks.

The 2.5 GHz spectrum is owned by Sprint. We got an early look at the 5G network from Sprint, which was a good sign of things to come. T-Mobile has more than 160MHz of spectrum at 2.5 GHz in the top 100 US markets, and has already shut down the 5G network of its competitor, Sprint, to create its Ultra Capacity 5G network.

T-Mobile 5G Spectrum

(Image credit: Source: T-Mobile)

T-Mobile launched its own 5G network on August 4, 2020. 5G SA can work without devices that need to connect to an older network first. 5G phones used to require this infrastructure to work properly.

This network is basically the same as before with some nice improvements. T-Mobile says that 5G SA improves coverage by 30 percent since phones will no longer need to connect to a mid-band LTE signal that doesn't reach as far a 5G signal. The 5G network was held back due to the fact that there were still many improvements with non-standalone 5G. T-Mobile estimates a 40 percent improvement in data access thanks to the switch.

What happens to Sprint's 5G customers?

T-Mobile has completed its purchase of Sprint, and with it comes great potential. T-Mobile points to its Metro PCS integration as a model for this joining, as many people will have memories of older failed mergers. T-Mobile estimates that it will take three years to fully integrate the networks, however, both T-Mobile and Sprint customers are starting to see some new benefits.

When the signal is low on the T-Mobile network, the T-Mobile network has gained access to theLTE roaming of theSprint customers. T-Mobile has added low-band 600MHz 5G as well as the 2.5 GHz 5G network to its 5G network. If you have a compatible phone and are ready to upgrade to 5G, you can switch to T-Mobile.

Is T-Mobile 5G worth it?

If you want the phone, it comes down to the current separation of plans on T-Mobile. Most new T-Mobile customers and existing customers will use the network because most new phones support 5G. 5G isn't a good reason to upgrade your phone, but it is a nice perk when you do.

Everyone will transition to 5G eventually, and 4G will be fast enough for most people for a few years. T-Mobile has been hitting its coverage goals so if you have been waiting for 5G to mature, now is the time.

Investments in 5G development

T-Mobile 5G Hub with cellular equipment

(Image credit: T-Mobile)

It makes sense that T-Mobile would want to encourage developers to build new experiences and applications that are powered by 5G. T-Mobile's 5G forward program gives developers more resources to focus on development without having to waste time on network information.

The program gives access to certified devices and open-source projects. The carrier has created a lab space to allow developers to test their projects in one place.

What is 5G for Good?

5G for Good uses the power of 5G to help the community. T-Mobile has been accused of putting on a show to grease the government's wheels in approving its merger with Sprint, but it is nice to see technology making a positive impact on the world.

T-Mobile likely won't be able to get it done without the extra spectrum from Sprint, so all of the projections here depend on the merger going through.

The Connecting Heroes Initiative is about connecting heroes.

The program aims to bring free 5G access to first responders in America. This includes both public and non-profit agencies. If you want your agency to get connected on 5G, you need to register as soon as possible.

Project 10 million.

It has been shown that children who don't have access to the internet won't get as good an education as those who do. Income inequality is also linked to this.

Project 10 Millions aims to eliminate theHomework gap caused by millions of children not having access to the internet for school work. Over the next five years, the project will offer free service, hotspots, and reduced-cost devices to 10 million households.

T-Mobile has a connection.

T-Mobile connect is a low-priced phone plan with access to the 5G network. There is a plan for 15 dollars per month for unlimited talk and text. There is a $25 per month plan. The plan is set to grow as usage does by increasing the data allowance by 500MB a year for five years. For a low-income family, this can be a lifesaver.

The plans are already available on T-Mobile.