T-Mobile expects 2x10MHz LTE in 90% of top 25 markets by year's end

With its LTE network deployment in full swing, T-Mobile is hoping to step things up in the most crucial top markets by deploying more spectrum to the new network. According to a statement given to Light Reading, T-Mobile said that "Nationwide, we plan to deploy 10+10 MHz of LTE in 90 percent of the top 25 markets by the end of the year."

Although the network is currently live in 116 markets, T-Mobile is primarily using a 2x5MHz deployment, which offers less bandwidth and potential to handle a large number of customers on each tower. Testing of the new 2x10MHz network is currently ongoing in New York City, where network engineers have been dropping the HSPA+ network from 42 to 21mbps in order to use those resources for LTE.

When the network eventually rolls out to these large markets in full capacity, T-Mobile plans to run both the HSPA+42 and LTE networks concurrently. As for speeds, CEO John Legere has been showing off some pretty impressive speed test numbers in New York City — we'll see how that holds up when the network gets more saturated.

Source: Light Reading