Author: John Stockton, 29.08.2024

 

T-Mobile uses a variety of frequency bands for its 5G network in the United States. These bands are categorized into low-band, mid-band, and high-band (millimeter-wave) spectrums. Here is a breakdown of the primary 5G bands used by T-Mobile:

1. Low-Band (600 MHz)

• Band n71 (600 MHz): This is T-Mobile main low-band frequency, which offers broad coverage but slower speeds. It is great for rural areas and widespread coverage, providing a solid 5G foundation.

2. Mid-Band (2.5 GHz)

• Band n41 (2.5 GHz): Acquired from Sprint, this mid-band spectrum offers a good balance between speed and coverage. It provides significantly faster speeds than low-band while covering larger areas compared to high-band. This is often referred to as T-Mobile "Ultra Capacity" 5G.

3. Mid-Band (1.9 GHz)

• Band n25 (1.9 GHz): Also acquired from Sprint, this band is part of T-Mobile mid-band strategy to improve coverage and capacity, though it is less common than n41.

4. High-Band (Millimeter Wave)

• Band n260 (39 GHz): T-Mobile uses this high-frequency band in densely populated urban areas where very high speeds are required. This spectrum offers extremely fast speeds but with limited range and penetration.
• Band n261 (28 GHz): Similar to n260, this band is used for ultra-high-speed 5G in specific urban areas and venues, offering the highest speeds but with very short range.

5. Additional Bands

• Band n66 (AWS-3, 1700/2100 MHz): Sometimes used in the mid-band range to supplement coverage and capacity.
• Band n2 (PCS, 1900 MHz): Also used to supplement the mid-band spectrum.

T-Mobile's strategy involves combining these different bands to provide a comprehensive 5G network that balances coverage and speed. The company brands its low-band 5G as "Extended Range 5G" and its mid-band 5G as "Ultra Capacity 5G" to help customers differentiate between the two.