T-Mobile today enabled SA (standalone) mode on its nationwide 5G network. T-Mobile is the first carrier in the world to launch 5G SA technology on this scale. The launch immediately boosts T-Mobile's 5G coverage by 30%. It also improves the latency (responsiveness) of the 5G network by up to 40%, according to the company. The 5G network now covers nearly 250 million people in more than 7,500 cities and towns across 1.3 million square miles. Previously, T-Mobile's 5G network (like most 5G networks to date) only operated in NSA mode, which relies on a 4G LTE network for basic connectivity and setting up 5G data connections. T-Mobile's implementation of 5G NSA used a higher frequency band for the 4G connection, which restricted coverage. Now that 5G can operate on its own in band 71 (600 MHz) using SA technology, 5G coverage is much greater and can be accessed more reliably indoors.


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