The competition is complaining about T-Mobile's constant hunger for more spectrum

3comments
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase from the links on this page.
The competition is complaining about T-Mobile's constant hunger for more spectrum
Ever since T-Mobile picked up 31MHz of 600MHz low-band spectrum in an FCC auction back in 2017, the carrier has been gobbling up all sorts of airwaves looking to improve its 5G service. Of course, the big purchase was the $26 billion T-Mobile spent to buy Sprint. In a brilliant move that caught Verizon and AT&T napping, T-Mobile obtained a hoard of 2.5GHz mid-band spectrum from its purchase of Sprint.

The amazing Galaxy S24 Ultra: Save $250!

If you want the ultimate experience, you should definitely consider the Galaxy S24 Ultra. This bad boy and its bright, practically glare-free screen can be yours for $250 less than its usual price. If you have an eligible phone for a trade-in, the Galaxy S24 Ultra's price can go down for up to $800!
$1169 99
$1419 99
Buy at Samsung

Galaxy S24 FE: up to $800 off with T-Mobile and trade-in

Trade in an eligible device and save up to $800 on the Galaxy S24 FE. The just-released smartphone arrives with a plan by T-Mobile at the Samsung Store. You'll receive your $800 over 24 monthly bill credits, provided you select a Go5G Plus or Go5G next plan.
$0
$649 99
Buy at Samsung

Galaxy S24+: up to $920 off with T-Mobile at Samsung

If you get the Galaxy S24+ with a T-Mobile plan from the official store, you can get up to $800 off over 24 monthly bill credits. The offer requires you to trade in an eligible device, switch to, have, or activate a Go5G Plus or Go5G Next plan. On top of that, you receive a free storage upgrade worth $120.
$199 99
$1119 99
Buy at Samsung

While AT&T and Verizon started to build out their 5G networks using the fastest mmWave spectrum, they failed to take into consideration that mmWave signals, while speedy indeedy, do not travel far and are easily blocked by trees and structures. However, the characteristics of high-band mean that finding and connecting to a 5G mmWave signal is extremely rare. Low-band, on the other hand, travels great distances and the signals can penetrate buildings and trees. However, low-band airwaves are not the fastest and the downlink data speed is just 20% faster than 4G LTE.

What T-Mobile recognized was that mid-band was the way to go. While not as fast as mmWave, mid-band travels longer distances than high-band signals making them easier to find. And mid-band can deliver 5G downlink speeds six to 10 times faster than 4G LTE. Sure, mmWave signals deliver 5G downlink speeds as fast as 10 to 20 times 4G LTE speeds, but what good is that speed if you can't find mmWave signals to connect with. AT&T and Verizon quickly got the message and spent over $68 billion to purchase C-band spectrum in the 3.7GHz-3.98GHz range giving them mid-band airwaves.


T-Mobile continues to buy more spectrum even though the competition, specifically Dish Wireless, is not happy about this. While Dish is still hoping to exercise an option it has to purchase some 800MHz low-band spectrum from T-Mobile, the latter is trying to add an additional 600MHz of spectrum from Columbia Capital and Comcast. The nation's second-largest carrier also purchased $10 billion worth of C-band spectrum in 2021 and spent $3 billion to buy 3.45GHz mid-band spectrum in the C-band last year.

Dish complained to the FCC about T-Mobile's pending purchase of Comcast's 600MHz spectrum and said, "This transaction threatens wireless competition and implicates material questions for FCC public policy. The Commission should suspend review of this transaction, or at least condition the transaction, to offset the harms to competition and consumers."

AT&T wasn't happy when T-Mobile scarfed up more 2.5GHz mid-band spectrum from a 2022 FCC auction. The carrier spent more than $304 million to win 7,156 2.5GHz mid-band licenses in 2,724 counties. This led AT&T to say, "T-Mobile controls a grossly outsized portion of the mid-band spectrum needed to fuel the 5G revolution."

It isn't likely that the FCC is going to punish T-Mobile since the carrier was smart enough to be the first to recognize the importance of mid-band spectrum in offering customers fast and available 5G coverage.
Create a free account and join our vibrant community
Register to enjoy the full PhoneArena experience. Here’s what you get with your PhoneArena account:
  • Access members-only articles
  • Join community discussions
  • Share your own device reviews
  • Build your personal phone library
Register For Free

Recommended Stories

Loading Comments...
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless