T-Mobile Building Out 5G in 30 Cities This Year…and That’s Just the Start

The Un-carrier unveils next steps on the path to nationwide mobile 5G. Customers in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas and Las Vegas will be first to get it on 5G smartphones next year.

BARCELONA, Spain--()--Build it (right) and they will come…to stay. T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) is charging ahead to deliver real nationwide 5G, and today, the Un-carrier unveiled the next steps on that path at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. T-Mobile plans to build out 5G in 30 cities this year, and customers in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas and Las Vegas will be first to experience it, when the first 5G smartphones launch early next year.

Unlike the Duopoly, T-Mobile is focused on delivering a truly transformative 5G experience. One that works on actual smartphones – not nomadic “pucks” or fixed routers. One that works for customers nationwide – not just in some hotspots. And, one that works with today’s advanced LTE networks – T-Mobile’s is the fastest ever – by harnessing 4G and 5G simultaneously.

Dumb and Dumber are in a meaningless race to be first. Their so-called 5G isn’t mobile, and it’s not even on a smartphone. It’s a puck?! You gotta be pucking kidding me!” said John Legere, president and CEO at T-Mobile. “While the Duopoly focus on bragging rights, we focus on customers. T-Mobile has massively bigger plans for a truly transformative 5G experience on your smartphone nationwide. We’re playing the long game ... the only game that matters.”

5G is a lot more than faster speeds. It enables brand new IoT experiences, massive connectivity, smart cities, decade long battery life, ultra-responsive networks and increased speed, but it’s more than that – to fully unleash 5G requires a nationwide network. While the Duopoly focuses on 5G hotspots in urban areas, T-Mobile understands that customers need a 5G connection that won’t disappear when they leave the house or get to the end of the block.

At T-Mobile, our vision of a 5G future keeps the customer front and center, just like the way we built the nation’s fastest LTE network,” said Neville Ray, Chief Technology Officer at T-Mobile. “When we built our LTE network, we had the unlimited future in mind, and we take that same approach here. Every dollar we invest in our network is a 5G dollar. All the LTE Advanced work we do is 5G work, and we’re leading the industry with the most advanced LTE network in the country. Every step we take --- every innovation – builds toward a future-proof 5G network, one where our customers continue to come out on top.”

In addition to deploying 5G-ready equipment today and lighting up 5G in low-band spectrum (600 MHz), T-Mobile plans to begin building out 5G on millimeter wave spectrum this year. And, T-Mobile expects to deploy 25,000 small cells to light up LAA (Licensed Assisted Access), technology that adds extra capacity and speed, while paving the way for 5G.

T-Mobile is in a unique position with 5G, with its unpopulated spectrum holdings and multi-spectrum strategy. While other wireless companies must kick customers off their congested LTE networks to build out 5G, the Un-carrier is building 5G on wide-open airwaves. Plus, T-Mobile is the only US wireless operator to announce plans for standards-based 5G across multiple spectrum bands. A multi-spectrum strategy is critical to delivering a breakthrough consumer experience – and experience that includes national coverage and reliability from low band spectrum, reliable capacity and consistent mobile broadband speed with mid band spectrum and multi-gigabit hotspots in urban areas and on campuses with millimeter wave.

We’re tackling 5G with an army at our side,” added Ray. “To advance our 5G vision, we’re working closely with 3GPP, industry standards groups, chip makers, and a range of global handset manufacturers – who are on track to deliver the first handsets in early 2019. And, we’re partnering closely with global network infrastructure leaders like Ericsson and Nokia who are already delivering equipment to support our multi-spectrum strategy.”

In a 5G world, LTE networks will continue to be critically important because the first 5G smartphones will use both 5G and LTE simultaneously. Currently, phones must choose between 2G, 3G, or 4G LTE and use one at a time. The combination of 5G and LTE means way faster speeds, and that’s why T-Mobile isn’t letting up on its LTE developments. The Un-carrier already has the most advanced LTE network and continues to push the envelope on LTE-A and new technologies.

For more information on T-Mobile’s network, see www.t-mobile.com/coverage and follow Neville Ray on Twitter (@NevilleRay) for the latest on T-Mobile’s network and 5G buildout.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. Any statements made herein that are not statements of historical fact, including statements about T-Mobile US, Inc.'s plans, outlook, beliefs, opinions, projections, strategy, deployment of spectrum and expected network modernization and other advancements, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "anticipate," "expect," "suggests," "plan," “project,” "believe," "intend," "estimates," "targets," "views," "may," "will," "forecast," and other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, are based on current assumptions and expectations, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could affect future results and cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: adverse economic or political conditions in the U.S. and international markets; competition, industry consolidation, and changes in the market for wireless services could negatively affect our ability to attract and retain customers; the effects of any future merger, investment, or acquisition involving us, as well as the effects of mergers, investments, or acquisitions in the technology, media and telecommunications industry; challenges in implementing our business strategies or funding our operations, including payment for additional spectrum or network upgrades; the possibility that we may be unable to renew our spectrum licenses on attractive terms or acquire new spectrum licenses at reasonable costs and terms; difficulties in managing growth in wireless data services, including network quality; material changes in available technology and the effects of such changes, including product substitutions and deployment costs and performance; the timing, scope and financial impact of our deployment of advanced network and business technologies; the impact on our networks and business from major technology equipment failures; breaches of our and/or our third party vendors' networks, information technology and data security; natural disasters, terrorist attacks or similar incidents; unfavorable outcomes of existing or future litigation; any changes in the regulatory environments in which we operate, including any increase in restrictions on the ability to operate our networks; any disruption or failure of our third parties' or key suppliers' provisioning of products or services; material adverse changes in labor matters, including labor campaigns, negotiations or additional organizing activity, and any resulting financial, operational and/or reputational impact; the ability to make payments on our debt or to repay our existing indebtedness when due or to comply with the covenants contained therein; adverse change in the ratings of our debt securities or adverse conditions in the credit markets; and other risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

About T-Mobile US, Inc.

As America's Un-carrier, T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is redefining the way consumers and businesses buy wireless services through leading product and service innovation. Our advanced nationwide 4G LTE network delivers outstanding wireless experiences to 72.6 million customers who are unwilling to compromise on quality and value. Based in Bellevue, Washington, T-Mobile US provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile and MetroPCS. For more information, please visit http://www.t-mobile.com.

Contacts

Media Contacts
T-Mobile US Media Relations
MediaRelations@t-mobile.com
or
Investor Relations
877-281-TMUS OR 212-358-3210
investor.relations@t-mobile.com

Contacts

Media Contacts
T-Mobile US Media Relations
MediaRelations@t-mobile.com
or
Investor Relations
877-281-TMUS OR 212-358-3210
investor.relations@t-mobile.com