How good is 5G coverage outside of major cities?

A recent road trip showed T-Mobile achieved 96.2% 5G coverage over 1,000 miles, with other carriers also providing decent signal strength for most of the journey.

Which carrier offers the best nationwide 5G network?

Based on a extensive road trip test, T-Mobile appears to have the most extensive 5G coverage, covering 96.2% of the route.

What is the difference between standalone and non-standalone 5G?

Non-standalone 5G uses existing 4G infrastructure, while standalone 5G utilizes a full 5G network for potentially lower latency.

Home / Technology / 5G Road Trip: Coverage Beyond Cities Revealed

5G Road Trip: Coverage Beyond Cities Revealed

15 Jan

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Summary

5G coverage tested across Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
T-Mobile showed extensive 5G coverage at 96.2 percent across 1,000+ miles.
All carriers provided decent signal strength for over 90% of the road trip.

5G Road Trip: Coverage Beyond Cities Revealed

A comprehensive road trip spanning over 1,000 miles through the Midwest provided a real-world assessment of 5G network performance outside of major cities. The extensive test, covering parts of Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee, aimed to evaluate not only network speed but also overall coverage continuity.

Results indicated that T-Mobile offered the most robust 5G coverage, reaching an impressive 96.2 percent across the entire route. Notably, this test highlighted the prevalent use of non-standalone (NSA) 5G, with T-Mobile being the sole carrier exhibiting any standalone (SA) 5G connectivity. Despite this, all three major carriers, AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, maintained decent or better signal strength for over 90 percent of the journey.

While speeds were generally strong, with most carriers achieving double and triple-digit Mbps, the focus remained on coverage reliability. The findings suggest that while carriers are actively building out their networks, especially along major interstates, T-Mobile currently leads in terms of widespread 5G availability in non-urban areas.