AT&T is rolling out significantly faster 5G speeds across the US after completing a $23 billion acquisition of spectrum from EchoStar. Customers with 5G-capable phones or AT&T Internet Air plans should already be experiencing improvements, with download speeds potentially rising by up to 80% on wireless networks and 55% for home internet subscribers.
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Why This Matters
This upgrade is crucial because 5G performance isn’t just about peak speeds. It’s about reliability and coverage. Faster speeds mean smoother streaming, better gaming, and more consistent access to data-intensive apps. For rural customers who lack access to fiber optic internet, this could be a major step forward in bridging the digital divide. The expansion also improves critical infrastructure, such as the AT&T FirstNet program for first responders, ensuring reliable communications during emergencies.
The Technical Details
The key to the speed boost is the deployment of midband 3.45GHz spectrum to over 23,000 cell sites in more than 5,300 cities across 48 states. 5G networks operate on different frequencies:
- Millimeter-wave: Fastest speeds, but short range and blocked by buildings.
- Low-band: Slowest speeds, but wide coverage.
- Midband: The sweet spot – faster than low-band, broader coverage than millimeter-wave.
This upgrade specifically leverages midband to provide a balance between speed and coverage, making the network more efficient overall.
No Price Increase (For Now)
Existing AT&T customers haven’t seen a price increase yet. Unlike Verizon and T-Mobile, which have locked in rates for the next few years, it remains to be seen if AT&T will follow suit. However, the company benefits internally from the upgrade: it reduces the need to build new cell towers and encourages customers to bundle mobile and home internet services.
How to Check Your Speed
On a compatible device, you should see “5G+” in your status bar when connected to millimeter-wave or midband networks. “5G” indicates a low-band connection. Be aware that “5GE” is actually 4G LTE, not true 5G.
The rollout of this spectrum is expected to continue over the coming weeks, so improvements should become even more widespread soon. Faster, more reliable 5G is a critical component of modern infrastructure, and AT&T’s upgrade moves the network closer to fully realizing its potential.
