We have previous the halfway level of 2022, and so far as one wi-fi community testing agency is worried, the rankings for 5G performance look so much like they did at first of the yr. And that is excellent news in the event you’re getting your wi-fi service from T-Mobile.
In response to the most recent report from RootMetrics (opens in new tab), T-Mobile retained its spot as the very best 5G community in the U.S., because of each velocity and availability. Whereas these elements are making it powerful for rivals Verizon and AT&T to unseat T-Mobile among the many finest telephone carriers for 5G protection, the 2 networks made strides in the primary half of the yr.
Verizon in explicit appears to be like promising with the addition of built-in C-Band 5G, which got here on-line at first of the yr. Within the areas the place C-Band spectrum was obtainable, RootMetrics discovered that it supplied important velocity enhancements, reaching speeds of greater than 250 Mbps in one market. Mixed with Verizon’s continued dominance in 5G information reliability in RootMetrics’ rankings, the cell phone supplier could quickly be inside hanging distance of T-Mobile.
T-Mobile continues to have the very best 5G availability
Primarily based on RootMetrics’ numbers, T-Mobile dominates in phrases of how a lot 5G protection is on the market in a given market. The Uncarrier had the very best 5G availability in 100 markets, crushing AT&T (39 markets) and Verizon (3 markets).
In actual fact, T-Mobile was the one provider that didn’t file lower than 55% 5G availability in any market. 5G availability additionally elevated in 110 markets for T-Mobile, which was greater than both of the opposite two cellular carriers.
That stated, Verizon and AT&T did make some enhancements — notably Verizon. Large Crimson improved in 99 markets and improved to 85% or higher 5G availability in 5 extra cities than it did over the last six months of 2021.
AT&T fell quick in some markets, with lower than 25% 5G protection in 36 markets. Nevertheless, the provider did make strides in 85 markets and had extra markets than Verizon with 85% or higher 5G community protection.
Verizon C-Band improves 5G velocity however nonetheless falls in need of T-Mobile
Whereas Verizon and AT&T had been most likely hoping to catch T-Mobile with their new C-Band spectrum 5G networks, they nonetheless have a bit to go earlier than they will declare the highest spot. T-Mobiles median obtain speeds had been phenomenal, with greater than 250 mbps in practically 40 markets; it additionally boasts the one community that didn’t file speeds under 25 mbps.
Nevertheless, C-Band did present main advantages for Verizon. C-Band is a kind of mid-band 5G spectrum that AT&T and Verizon acquired entry to and have solely just began rolling out in the U.S.
For AT&T, the features look like middling, partially as a result of its rollout is extra restricted than Verizon’s method. RootMetrics solely recorded C-Band spectrum in 23 markets for AT&T, however in 81 markets for Verizon. This allowed Verizon to extend 5G speeds in 63 cities the place it utilized its C-Band spectrum.
T-Mobile makes use of mid-band 5G, although it won’t launch C-Band spectrum networks till 2023. Nonetheless, its mid-band spectrum holdings acquired in the Dash merger have given the Uncarrier a large enhance. It is a huge purpose why T-Mobile has now held the title of quickest 5G community for 12 months in a row.
5G reliability stays a robust swimsuit for Verizon
This was one space the place AT&T’s 5G community stood out. AT&T telephones efficiently linked to the 5G in their market 99.5% of the time in 107 markets, higher than every other community.
Sadly, that’s the top of AT&T’s highlights, the place the provider solely managed to remain linked in 54 of these markets, effectively behind T-Mobile and Verizon. T-Mobile made small enhancements in each areas however remained third in getting linked and second in staying linked.
Verizon was the clear winner in phrases of 5G reliability. It had a connection success price in just 5 few markets than AT&T however stayed linked in greater than 100 markets, which no different community got here near. This was the third straight 6-month interval the place Verizon’s 5G community gained finest reliability for RootMetrics.
T-Mobile remains to be RootMetrics’ top-ranked 5G community
Regardless of having C-Band spectrum entry that produced genuinely important enhancements, Verizon and AT&T couldn’t catch T-Mobile in the primary half of the yr. Actually, we’re not stunned, as that is per earlier check outcomes.
Velocity information through the second quarter of this yr confirmed that T-Mobile was the quickest cellular community in the U.S., and that dominance is exhibiting in its 5G networks as effectively. The 5G market is continually shifting, however for now, T-Mobile’s reign is proving to be fairly fixed.