It never makes much sense to obsess over performance standings whenever a new mobile next-generation platform is being deployed. By definition, the new networks are under construction, so overall performance metrics will constantly change. It is similar to the process we have seen for network performance in general, globally: gaps close over time.
In the U.S. market, current 5G speeds across the major national carriers have closed significantly, in markets where all three are building early on.
And, as promised, 5G speeds are significantly faster than 4G speeds, in some cities where both networks are built.
The performance and coverage picture also has changed a lot over the last few months. Though Verizon first touted its millimeter wave rollout, it has since begun using dynamic spectrum sharing, allowing it to leverage 4G assets for 5G use. On the other hand, that also means overall average speeds are lower, compared to when only millimeter spectrum was used for 5G support.
T-Mobile started with low-band spectrum, which provided good coverage but modest speed gains, but now is expanding mid-band 5G. That allows average T-Mobile speeds to rise.
And, at least for the moment, AT&T is relying on spectrum sharing and low-band spectrum for 5G, which provides coverage fast, but with the downside of lower speed experience.
All that will keep changing on the networks add new mid-band spectrum and reinforce capacity with millimeter wave spectrum in the areas with highest usage.
The point is not to make too much of present disparities. All that will change.
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