5G performance in the United States is on the rise as additional mid-band spectrum becomes available.
According to Ookla’s Speedtest Intelligence data, the release of more mid-band spectrum has led to improved 5G performance and positively influenced consumer sentiment toward 5G networks. All three national wireless providers – Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T – have seen benefits.
“This sends a clear message to the FCC and other regulators, of the benefits of allocating additional spectrum for cellular use, as advocated for by industry bodies such as the CTIA, CCA and GSMA,” stated Ookla.
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Impact of Mid-Band Spectrum to 5G Progress
Leveraging additional mid-band spectrum deployments initiated in March 2024, T-Mobile reported a median 5G download speed of 287.14 Mbps in the same month, surpassing Verizon's 224.67 Mbps and AT&T's 145.36 Mbps.
T-Mobile has maintained its performance lead by advancing to a 5G Standalone (SA) architecture and testing six-carrier aggregation.
Since August of 2023, with Verizon securing full access to the 5G C-band spectrum, this helped increase its median 5G performance from 133.56 Mbps in June 2023 to 215.57 Mbps in December 2023.
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Verizon and AT&T have gained significant advantages from the early clearing of C-band spectrum by satellite providers. This spectrum, acquired through Auction 107 in February 2021, has bolstered their network capabilities.
In January 2022, AT&T also acquired additional 3.45 GHz licenses made available through Auction 110.
To date, capacity gains from additional spectrum are being directed almost universally to boost 5G download performance, in part because 5G-NR TDD radios are being used in both 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands.
Ookla’s Speedtest Intelligence data has also unveiled that US cellular providers returned either flat or declined in 5G net promoter score (NPS) over the period of March - August 2023.
Driving improved quality of experience and consumer sentiment, from September 2023 onwards, there has been a strong uplift in 5G NPS, in particular for Verizon and AT&T following their C-band deployments.
US providers are further extending their 5G network coverage across the market. In fact, the presence of 5G at identified operator locations increased from 68.4% in Q3 2023 to 76.7% in Q1 2024.
Yet, despite the surge in download performance due to the deployment of 5G in mid-band spectrum, upload and latency metrics have not improved to the same degree.
From Q1 2022 to Q1 2024, median upload speeds remained stable for all three major US cellular providers, according to Ookla's analysis. However, 5G latency trends varied: T-Mobile consistently improved its latency, dropping from 55 ms in Q1 2022 to 46 ms in Q1 2024, while Verizon and AT&T experienced an increase in latency during the same timeframe.
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The Need for Mid-Band Spectrum
According to GSMA, in 2030, 5G is expected to generate USD 960 billion in GDP, with the majority of benefits (65%) driven by mid-band spectrum. North America is set to represent almost 25% of the global benefits generated by mid-band spectrum.
Thus, leveraging the 3.5 GHz band to its fullest extent is essential for maintaining the US’s leadership in 5G and providing the necessary capacity to support connectivity advancements in the 5G-Advanced era.
In August 2023, GSMA suggested that to support the need for more dedicated mid-band spectrum in the US, “stakeholders must work collaboratively to investigate options for clearing, tuning, or increased coordination in the lower 3.5 GHz range.”
To illustrate, the precise quantum of mid-band spectrum required in each city will vary based on population density, fiber availability and other factors, but New York alone requires more than 2 GHz, with a range from 2580 MHz to 3130 MHz from 2025 to 2030.
Notably, in June 2024, a joint effort by the US Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the Department of the Navy (DON), and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) successfully expanded the unencumbered service area of a vital segment of shared mid-band spectrum.
By revising the aggregate interference model for the 3.5 GHz band, the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) can now offer continuous mid-band spectrum access for wireless internet and other services to an additional 72 million people.
Commenting on this breakthrough, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said, “The CBRS dynamic spectrum sharing framework is already fertile ground for wireless innovation, and through collaboration with the Department of Defense, NTIA, and stakeholders, we are expanding opportunities for reliable spectrum access while also ensuring that federal incumbents remain protected.”
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