T-Mobile has commenced the rollout of its latest 5G technology, capable of delivering impressive speeds of up to 3.3Gbps through carrier aggregation. This innovative approach combines four distinct 5G channels into one for devices that can handle such power, currently limited to Samsung’s newer Galaxy S23 phones. The idea behind this technique is akin to the smart trick employed by Wi-Fi routers to establish faster connections.
Interestingly, T-Mobile’s 5G speeds even surpass those of mmWave 5G, which Verizon and AT&T have been actively promoting due to its capacity for extremely high speeds. Ookla’s recent report cited download speeds of up to 1.6Gbps in the US using mmWave 5G. However, mmWave 5G does suffer from limitations in range and device support, and common obstacles like trees and buildings can hamper its performance.
To achieve such impressive speeds, T-Mobile is utilizing four channels. These include repurposed 1,900MHz spectrum from T-Mobile’s and Sprint’s previously mothballed 3G networks, along with two 2.5GHz channels (or carriers) and 600MHz. The rollout of this technology has already gone live in certain parts of T-Mobile’s network, with nationwide availability expected in the upcoming weeks, though the exact locations have not been disclosed.
According to Justin Paulsen, the Senior Communications Manager at T-Mobile, users don’t need any specific plans to take advantage of the aggregated channels, and there are no limitations on connection speed. However, not everyone will be able to enjoy the benefits of this faster connection just yet. For now, owning a Samsung Galaxy S23 is a prerequisite as it houses the Qualcomm Snapdragon X70 modem, which enables access to this advanced 5G feature.
Both AT&T and T-Mobile are diligently working on similar upgrades. AT&T had earlier reported successfully aggregating two upload channels, while Verizon boasts impressive upload speeds of over a gigabit and downloads reaching up to 4.3Gbps in their testing. However, T-Mobile seems to have taken the lead in real-world use, at least among the major US carriers. Last year, the company had already announced achieving the 3Gbps throughput milestone using this technique on a live, standalone 5G network, a feat that no other cellular service provider had accomplished at that time.
Ulf Ewaldsson, the President of Technology at T-Mobile, proudly asserts that T-Mobile is the sole provider introducing game-changing technologies like four-carrier aggregation to the market, thanks to their standalone 5G network. This places them ahead of the competition in pushing the boundaries of what 5G can achieve.
