What you need to know
- T-Mobile has deactivated Sprint's 2.5GHz mid-band 5G network as it continues to re-deploy the spectrum into its integrated 5G network.
- T-Mobile had started repurposing Sprint's mid-band spectrum in April, soon after its merger with Sprint was closed.
- Owners of first-gen 5G phones such as the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G and the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G will need to upgrade to a newer phone to be able to access T-Mobile's new integrated 5G network.
Shortly after T-Mobile completed its merger with Sprint in April, the two carriers began the process of combining their networks. As part of that process, T-Mobile has now shut down Sprint's 2.5GHz mid-band 5G service.
T-Mobile has already re-deployed the new 2.5GHz spectrum in New York City, which is currently the only market where the carrier is offering 5G by combining low-band, mid-band, and mmWave 5G. The 2.5GHz spectrum has also been re-deployed in parts of Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles.
Sprint's 5G service is no longer accessible to customers who have older 5G-enabled smartphones like the Galaxy S10 5G, OnePlus 7 Pro 5G, and the LG V50 ThinQ. If you own any of these phones, you will have to upgrade to a newer 5G phone that uses Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon X55 5G modem to be able to access T-Mobile's 5G network. Apart from the Galaxy S20 5G, phones like the LG V60 ThinQ and OnePlus 8 5G are also compatible with the Magenta carrier's 5G network.
In a statement sent to Fierce Wireless, a T-Mobile spokesperson said:
We are working to quickly re-deploy, optimize and test the 2.5 GHz spectrum before lighting it up on the T-Mobile network. In the meantime, legacy Sprint customers with compatible devices can enjoy T-Mobile's nationwide 5G network
