The Clock Ticks Onward: T-Mobile Takes 5G to the 600MHz Spectrum

March 02, 2018

Taking your time getting your wireless gear out of the 600 MHz band? It may be time to rethink that strategy. T-Mobile, the recent buyer of the majority of the UHF band recently auctioned by the FCC, announced the roll-out of their new 5G services utilizing that RF space.

As the first of the major cellular carriers to announce plans for 5G coverage, T-Mobile is beginning to deploy 5G-ready infrastructure in the 600MHz band during the course of this year. This is being done on millimeter wave spectrum. They expect to deploy 25,000 small cells to light up Licensed Assisted Access (LAA), a technology that adds extra capacity and speed until 5G is fully deployed.

“Dumb and Dumber are in a meaningless race to be first. Their so-called 5G isn’t mobile, and it’s not even on a smartphone. It’s a puck?! You gotta be pucking kidding me!” said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile. “While the Duopoly focuses on bragging rights, we focus on customers. T-Mobile has massively bigger plans for a truly transformative 5G experience on your smartphone nationwide. We’re playing the long game ... the only game that matters.”

What does this mean for pro audio professionals? An aggressive swallowing of the already-auctioned 600MHz band. While the original announcements had potential space for usage up until 2020 in some spots, T-Mobile has wasted no time in finding any way they can to get up and running where the opportunity exists. This is being done to help them get 5G-ready smartphone models to market by early 2019.

If you're holding out with your 600MHz gear, you're racing against a ticking clock. Don't be left behind - our staff here at Dale is ready to help you tackle the changes.

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