T-Mobile and Qualcomm take nationwide 5G a step closer to reality

Qualcomm announced today that along with T-Mobile, the two companies have successfully completed the first 5G data call using a commercial 5G modem over a low-frequency spectrum. The spectrum employed for this test was the 600MHz airwaves that the carrier won during an FCC auction that was held in 2017. T-Mobile paid nearly $8 billion for the spectrum. The modem chip employed for the test was Qualcomm's second-generation 5G modem chip, the Snapdragon X55. Besides the use of T-Mobile's airwaves and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X55 5G modem, the data call also used 5G radios from Ericsson.

The test takes T-Mobile a step closer to creating a nationwide 5G network. Verizon plans on using only mmWave bands for its mobile 5G network; these are ultra high-frequency bands in the 28GHz region of the radio spectrum. Such high-frequency airwaves do not travel as far as low-frequency airwaves nor do they penetrate buildings as well; this means that it could take longer for Verizon to complete a coast-to-coast 5G network compared to T-Mobile. The latter also plans on using some mmWave frequencies and Sprint's mid-range 2.5GHz spectrum (assuming that the merger closes) to build out its nationwide 5G network. AT&T will also use a combination of mmWave and sub-6GHz spectrum for its next-generation network. Qualcomm's Snapdragon X55 5G modem chip supports both mmWave and sub-6GHz 5G systems unlike the currently employed Snapdragon X50 5G modem chip, which works only with mmWave networks

T-Mobile started offering 5G services last month in Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and New York. Under the terms, it agreed to in order to obtain FCC approval for the merger with Sprint, within three years following the closing of the transaction the carrier must have 97% of the country covered with low-band 5G (85% of the rural areas). It also must have mid-band 5G coverage in 75% of the country. In addition, after three years drive tests need to confirm that 75% of the country can access download speeds equal to or greater than 50Mbps and that 63% can access download speeds of 100Mbps or higher.

When T-Mobile and Sprint first announced their $26.5 billion merger last year, the carriers said that the deal was necessary to help America lead the way in 5G. T-Mobile CEO John Legere wrote a lengthy piece on the company's blog last month explaining that once the U.S. has nationwide 5G, it will lead to the creation of new industries and businesses that we can't even conceive of right now; this will make America the global leader in the 5G economy. Legere claims that a combined T-Mobile-Sprint will have the spectrum needed to create a coast-to-coast 5G network first before Verizon and AT&T.