T-Mobile promises widespread 5G network in the next three years

$8 billion dollars were spent by “T-Mobile” on 600 Hz frequency spectrum. Why? to help spreading the new and improved 5G network in a bit more than a couple of years, revealed the company.

The Deutsche Telekom-owned company promised 5G networks on a wide range of terrain across the U.S by the end of 2020. Access to high-speed network will be limited to specific areas, as the main focus is on covering more space using the 600 Hz frequency range the operator acquired in the U.S and Puerto Rico. This helps in covering more geographical space but on the expense of slower speeds, which is the opposite of what other operators will be providing with 5G.

Verizon, AT&T and more are already invested in using Millimeter Wave technology, transmitting signal through airwaves with narrower-than-average wavelengths. This puts the signal at 30 to 300 GHz range, which is high enough to avoid interruptions from other nearby signals but also higher than being able to go through obstacles like walls, cement, or even tree leaves. This problem made the likes of Verizon invest in home-based 5G fixed networks instead of mobiles.

The 600 Hz spectrum T-Mobile invested in won’t achieve the same high speeds as competition, but it’s almost set for another purpose entirely preferring wider range than higher space. This allows mobile 5G to start showing as soon as this year.

“We’re going to run at it and run hard,” T-Mobile chief technology officer Neville Ray told USA Today in an interview. “We’re saying that you’re going to see it at T-Mobile first.”

The importance of 5G network goes beyond just a higher speed, as the incredibly low latency will mean better response in self-driving cars, Internet of Things devices, and more services on the Internet.