T-Mobile says it has enhanced its already fast network and reached new 5G milestones. In our latest tests, T-Mobile achieved a record 345 Mbps upload on a sub-6GHz 5G SA (standalone) network. This is 25% higher than the previous North American record (also held by T-Mobile). According to carriers, the technology could revolutionize the way data is sent to and from mobile phones, a welcome change from the mediocre upload speeds that many 5G towers currently manage. This will be a necessary change.
The tests used smartphones equipped with Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon RF module and Nokia’s AirScale radios. T-Mobile credits this impressive achievement to a combination of cutting-edge technologies available on its network, including carrier aggregation, SU-MIMO (single user multiple input, multiple output), and a new feature called UL Tx switching. Says.
T-Mobile’s announcement details the benefits of UL Tx switching, calling it the “5G superhighway.” T-Mobile is planning ahead for its 5G network, purchasing licenses for a large amount of sub-6GHz spectrum, including the majority from its acquisition of Sprint. This provides good frequency mixing and is ideal for UL Tx switching. This technology allows the phone to hop between signals utilizing both the FDD (frequency division duplex) and TDD (time division duplex) spectrum.
Carriers tend to downplay upload speeds, but to be fair, downloads are more important for most use cases today. As people use their mobile networks for more tasks, slow uploads become a bottleneck. The carrier says the technology will enable customers to take full advantage of emerging technologies such as online gaming, content creation and XR. Upload switching could also make fixed wireless home internet a viable option for more people.
“Uplink transmit switching has the potential to significantly improve upload speeds and capacity, and we implore our partners around the world to incorporate that capability into their upcoming 5G ecosystems.” said Ulf Ewaldsson, President of Mobile Technology.
T-Mobile and other carriers have offered faster upload speeds in recent years, but only in areas served by mmWave. These signals have a much higher frequency and therefore can carry more data. However, it only travels a few hundred feet from the transmitter and cannot pass through walls. Sub-6GHz 5G is even more convenient. However, with the right technology in place, sub-6GHz can be very fast.
Although T-Mobile claims to ignore AT&T and Verizon, this is just a test of its latest network upgrades. It will take time for T-Mobile to roll out his UL Tx switching across its network, and you may need new phones to get the most out of it. Still, an improvement in the lackluster upload speeds would always be very welcome.
