As Apple rolls out its new iPhones, T-Mobile US is making upgrades of its own to networks throughout the country. Markets such as Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Austin, Texas, Houston, Miami and Fresno, Calif. are the latest to get the carrier’s 700 MHz extended range LTE coverage.
The major markets mentioned above are just a few of the 170 total markets to get the new upgrade.
“This is the fastest-ever network rollout in the industry,” Alisa Arner, Dallas-based vice president for T-Mobile’s South Central region said. “There’s benefit here for customers across the entire Austin area. It really extends their coverage better through obstacles. Inside buildings, for example, you’ll have four times more signal strength. And in rural areas, you’ll see the signal goes two times farther from the towers.”
The new iPhones are the latest T-Mobile devices capable of taking full advantage of the 700 MHz extended LTE coverage. The service is currently compatible with about 30 of the company’s devices.
For quite some time the major hurdle to T-Mobile US’ low frequency spectrum implementation in major cities throughout the U.S. has been television broadcast channel 51 interference. T-Mobile US struck a deal back in June that allowed it to move past this obstacle in New York City.
T-Mobile US’ Extended Range LTE uses 700 MHz spectrum to allow its signal to travel farther and penetrate buildings better than other spectrum frequencies. The mobile operator has set a goal of offering the service in 350 markets by the end of the year.
