T-Mobile has achieved a massive 4.3 Gbps download speed using mmWave (Millimeter wave) 5G spectrum in Non-standalone (Nsa) architecture. The benchmark transmission rate was achieved in collaboration with Ericsson and Qualcomm Technologies.
To get this benchmark downlink capacity, the telco combined eight different channels of mmWave frequencies. In the 5G glossary, mmWave stands for high-band frequencies capable of delivering ultra-high-speed throughput capacity but lags back in providing coverage.
In the meantime, the company aggregated four channels of the spectrum which delivered 420 Mbps upload speed.
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T-Mobile achieved 4.3 Gbps download speed and 420 Mbps upload speed in mmWave 5G band
T-Mobile also said it aggregated four channels of mmWave spectrum on the uplink, reaching speeds above 420 Mbps. But because the coverage is not so ideal with this band, the company doesn’t trumpet its speeds. A high-band 5G is ideal only for specific crowded areas as it is handicapped by low coverage capacity. A mmWave 5G can cover 300 meters from the base station.
T-Mobile, Verizon’s rival network has the most mmWave resources but it’s used for NFL stadiums and a few crowded but small areas.
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T-Mobile uses lower bands for 5G
Due to obvious reasons, T-Mobile uses mid-band and low-band spectrums for 5G networks. Unlike, high-band network, using lower frequencies provide a decent combination of speed and coverage. It’s also planning on utilizing the spectrum for stadiums, airports, and other such spaces.
“We’ve been industry leaders – rolling out the first, largest, and fastest 5G standalone network across the country – and now we’re continuing to push the boundaries of wireless technology,” said T-Mobile President of Technology Ulf Ewaldsson in a statement. “We’ve always said we’ll use millimeter wave where it makes sense, and this test allows us to see how the spectrum can be used in different situations like crowded venues or to power things like fixed-wireless access when combined with 5G standalone.”
5G brings major advantages but is limited by low coverage in high-band. To compensate, telcos mostly prefer mid and low bands, however, as the technology continues to evolve, the speed/coverage gap is likely to be bridged in coming years.
T-Mobile 5G covers over 300 million people in the US translating to a whopping 98% across the country.