Devices.
Your device sends data to the cell site nearest you via radio waves.
How the wireless network works.
The nationwide backbone that keeps 5G—and us—running is continually expanding and evolving to stay ahead of the growing demand. As it evolves, 5G is adding sophisticated features to enhance connectivity, improve online experiences, and make our everyday lives better.
Getting data wirelessly from point A to point B.
A lot happens between “sending…” and “got it!” Whether it’s a text, a call, a web search, or a streaming video—all wireless data travels along similar paths. The typical path a signal takes looks something like the simplified diagram below.
Cell sites.
Cell sites consist of radios, antennas, and a base station, which routes traffic to the homing switch office.
Switch office.
The switch office routes traffic to its final destination, whether that's connecting a voice call, delivering content to a streaming app, or enabling real-time data for other services.
The recipient.
The cell site sends the communication via radio waves to the recipient.
Cell sites provide the critical connection points.
Cell sites are all around us, sometimes camouflaged as trees, often attached to street lights or on the roofs of buildings.
"Macro sites."
Are the tall towers that most people are familiar with. These sites generally range from 50 to over 200 feet high, and because of the height, they can cover an area of several miles.
"Small cells."
Are more compact and are growing in use today. They use lower levels of transmission power and cover a smaller area than macro sites, which makes them perfect for providing extra capacity for dense populations and high-traffic areas.
Radio waves carry the information on bands of spectrum. Radio waves carry the information on bands of spectrum.
All wireless communications—TV and radio broadcasts, GPS data, cell service, and more—travel over naturally occurring radio waves. The "bands" of radio waves are called radio frequencies (RF) or spectrum—familiar to anyone who has changed the dial on a radio to find a clear station.
Part of American history. Part of American history.
Radio frequency (RF) is the same technology that has been used for radio broadcasts since the late 1800s. While RF lets us send and receive voice, text, photos, and videos with our phones, it’s also used by home electronics like baby monitors, cordless phones, and video game controllers.
Low-exposure cell sites. Low-exposure cell sites.
Even though the FCC permits an effective radiated power (ERP) of up to 500 watts per channel, the majority of
A multi-spectrum strategy provides national coverage.
When it comes to spectrum, there are distinct advantages to using low-band, mid-band, and high-band (or millimeter wave) frequencies. While higher frequencies can transmit more information over short distances, lower frequencies travel farther and are less hindered by obstacles.
High-band spectrum (34,000 – 39,000 MHz, or millimeter wave) is used to support high-capacity demands in densely populated urban areas.
Mid- and low-band spectrum deliver reliable coverage across a variety of settings, including urban, suburban, and even the most rural communities.
Adding low-band spectrum was a game-changer for T-Mobile .
The range of available spectrum is finite. Spectrum is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which licenses these radio frequencies to public and private organizations—and requires that mobile carriers do not cause interference with other spectrum license holders.
Our addition of low-band 600 MHz spectrum in 2019 is an example of how strategically acquiring and utilizing multiple bands of spectrum improves the entire network. Our low-band 600 MHz spectrum covers the continental U.S. and is significant because these airwaves travel farther and are less hindered by obstacles like foliage, rain, and buildings.
Tilting cell towers for public safety.
When emergencies like wildfires, floods, or storms hit, first responders depend on strong mobile networks to save lives. But reaching a cell tower to fix or adjust it can be tough—especially in remote or rugged areas. That’s why we use smart technology to remotely tilt cell tower antennas. By aiming the signal exactly where it's needed, we can quickly improve coverage for rescue teams, giving them faster access to the network and the bandwidth they need to coordinate life-saving work.
The network stays ahead of the game.
5G changed everything.
Wireless traffic is always increasing, across more devices, with higher-bandwidth requirements. And with new innovations in technology come new opportunities to bring more functionality to towns, homes, and workplace.
Much like roads or highways, networks must be continuously upgraded to support a growing amount of wireless traffic. Often, this means installing more antennas in more places, as well as making sure there’s a high-speed connection back to the core network.
The network’s goal: optimal coverage and capacity
All wireless communications—TV and radio broadcasts, GPS data, cell service, and more—travel over naturally occurring radio waves. The “bands” of radio waves are called radio frequencies (RF) or spectrum—familiar to anyone who has changed the dial on a radio to find a clear station.
Network gets faster with each generation .
The network is evolving to keep 5G moving forward (and eventually getting us to 6G).
You can see how far we’ve come, across network generations, thanks to the new technologies in our devices and in the network that makes these connections possible.
A viable mobile network allows us to both keep up and get ahead.
2G enabled digital phone calls, text messaging and basic data services.
3G introduced integrated voice, messaging, mobile internet, broadband data and apps.
4G enabled high-speed internet, high-capacity multimedia, and more reliable connections. Mobile ridesharing services did not exist before this generation of wireless.
5G—A technological revolution connecting trillions of devices like autonomous cars, smart homes, and entire smart cities in the Internet of Things (IoT).
The decentralized network of the future.
How will the network change as 5G evolves and 6G emerges? It will move away from centralized hubs, relying instead on multiple nodes that will bring the processing closer to users. This decentralization will result in even lower latency, getting us closer than ever to a true real-time experience.
