5G Spectrum Upgrade
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AT&T Boosts 5G Speed With New Spectrum Frequency in US
CNET· 2025-11-19 20:42
Core Insights - AT&T's acquisition of $23 billion in spectrum licenses from EchoStar significantly enhances its 5G performance across the continental U.S. [1] - The upgrade allows for substantial increases in customer download speeds, with an 80% increase in areas with upgraded spectrum and up to 55% for AT&T Internet Air subscribers [2] Group 1: Performance and Customer Impact - The new spectrum enables faster and more consistent network access for AT&T subscribers, with the potential for improved experiences in gaming, streaming, and high-data applications [2][3] - The infrastructure upgrade is currently being implemented without a price increase for existing customers, contrasting with competitors Verizon and T-Mobile, which have instituted price locks [3] Group 2: Technical Aspects - The deployment of midband 3.45 GHz spectrum enhances the capabilities of the AT&T FirstNet program, ensuring reliable communications for first responders during emergencies [4] - Midband spectrum offers a balance between high-speed millimeter-wave signals and broader coverage low-band signals, providing faster speeds than low-band with larger coverage areas [5] Group 3: Real-World Performance - An example of network performance shows download speeds of nearly 500 Mbps and upload speeds of around 80 Mbps, comparable to many home internet speeds [6]