Verizon mid-band spectrum lifts 5G speeds as it chases T-Mobile

Verizon’s deployment of mid-band spectrum for 5G is delivering boosts to download speeds for users connected to C-band, according to new analysis from Opensignal –  getting the carrier closer as it works to catch up to speed leader T-Mobile. Verizon and AT&T both started activating C-band spectrum in the 3.7 GHz range on January 19. AT&T acknowledged a more limited deployment in just eight markets, while Verizon had a more widespread launch with 5G Ultra Wideband using C-band now covering more than 100 million people. Both are still only using a portion of their C-band holdings. Opensignal results show that C-band, while still limited to certain major markets, was enough to bump Verizon’s overall 5G nationwide download speeds (which include lower band spectrum as well) immediately, even though T-Mobile still has the fastest thanks to its head start deploying mid-band 2.5 GHz. However, when only looking at connections on mid-band spectrum Verizon is closing the speed gap where it’s available, and a look at five cities shows it’s sometimes matching T-Mobile on speed.