Close on the heels of rivals, T-Mobile enters the 5G battle

Looks like the 5G battle is on. Only a few days earlier, we had reported AT&T’s plans to launch 5G in three cities by the end of this year. Trailing the news was Sprint’s announcement of lunching 5G in six cities, which was closely trailed by Verizon. Though comparatively later, T-Mobile has also now joined the battle to grab the title of ‘first to 5G’.

T-Mobile said it will offer 5G coverage in close to 30 cites by the end of 2018, which is much higher than the numbers promised by its rivals.

With 5G mobile devices yet to take shape, the telecom firms are now scrambling for effective alternatives to bring 5G to consumers. While hotspot routers and fixed home broadbands are some of the available alternatives, T-Mobile said it would be using puck-shaped portable hotspots instead.

The first group of cities that it targets to launch 5G services includes Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New York. The carrier plans to make 5G available through its 28GHz and 39GHz millimeter wave as well as 600MHz wireless spectrum that it acquired last year.  To achieve this, the firm joins forces with Nordic equipment vendors Ericsson and Nokia.

“By 2020 we will build a fully nationwide 5G coverage layer,” T-Mobile CTO Neville Ray said at the carrier’s press conference. “I challenge my competition today: match what I’m saying, tell me that you’re going to deliver 5G in a comprehensive national way in these timeframes.