T-Mobile Breaks World Record for 5G Uplink Speed with Groundbreaking Technology
In a remarkable achievement, T-Mobile has shattered the global record for the fastest 5G uplink speeds, reaching over 2.2 Gbps, thanks to an innovative technology collaboration with Ericsson and Qualcomm. This new feat, accomplished using T-Mobile’s 5G standalone (SA) network, highlights the immense potential of New Radio Dual Connectivity (5G DC), a revolutionary feature that enables substantial increases in uplink throughput and capacity.
The milestone was made possible by the combination of T-Mobile’s mid-band spectrum with mmWave, significantly enhancing data transmission speeds. This breakthrough is a game-changer, demonstrating the power of 5G DC to aggregate two distinct spectrum bands—2.5 GHz and mmWave—which results in dramatic improvements in uplink performance. Traditionally, mmWave spectrum has been reserved for downlink purposes, but in this test, T-Mobile allocated a much larger portion—60% of mmWave radio resources—for uplink, compared to the usual 20% in past use cases.
The test was conducted on T-Mobile’s 5G SA production network at SoFi Stadium in Southern California, with the involvement of key industry partners—Ericsson and Qualcomm. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon® X80 5G Modem-RF System was used in the mobile test smartphone, playing a pivotal role in achieving this record-breaking speed.
Revolutionizing Event Connectivity
SoFi Stadium, an iconic venue that hosts millions of fans each year, including at high-profile events like concerts and football games, proved to be the ideal location for testing this new technology. Large crowds can often strain network capacity, making it difficult for attendees to share experiences in real-time. The enhanced uplink speeds provided by T-Mobile’s 5G DC technology ensure that visitors can easily upload high-definition content, livestream, and post on social media without the dreaded lag, while broadcast crews benefit from seamless, real-time uploads to production teams.
T-Mobile’s President of Technology, Ulf Ewaldsson, emphasized that this breakthrough represents more than just speed—it’s a step toward creating better digital experiences where they matter most. “With 5G DC, T-Mobile is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible to create better experiences in the places that matter most to our customers,” he said. “This accomplishment is a testament to the network we’ve built over the last five years and our ability to deliver unparalleled capabilities that extend beyond the devices in our pockets.”
The Importance of Uplink Speeds
Historically, download speeds have been the primary focus for assessing network performance. However, as applications such as live events, mobile gaming, and extended reality (XR) grow in demand, upload speeds are gaining in importance. With T-Mobile’s achievement, customers and businesses can expect a more reliable and faster 5G uplink experience in environments where high-volume data uploads are crucial.
Industry Reactions
Mårten Lerner, Head of Product Area Networks at Ericsson, shared his excitement over the milestone. “High uplink speeds are essential for delivering immersive experiences and reliable 5G connectivity,” he said. “This mirrors one of our key objectives with the recent launch of Ericsson 5G Advanced, which aims to elevate user experience by enhancing network performance for more interactive applications.”
Qualcomm’s Sunil Patil, Vice President of Product Management, echoed the sentiment, stating, “We are incredibly proud to achieve yet another world record with T-Mobile. This groundbreaking achievement shows what could be possible with 5G DC and how it can bring new, unparalleled experiences to consumers, especially at large events like football games and concerts.”
T-Mobile’s Continued Leadership in 5G
T-Mobile has long been recognized as the leader in 5G, with the largest, fastest, and most awarded 5G network in the United States. The Un-carrier’s 5G network now covers more than 330 million people across over two million square miles. T-Mobile’s Ultra Capacity 5G provides super-fast connectivity to over 300 million people nationwide—more than double the coverage area of similar mid-band 5G services from its competitors.
For those interested in learning more about T-Mobile’s expansive network and staying updated on the latest developments, visit T-Mobile’s coverage page and follow @TMobileNews on X (formerly Twitter).
The advancement of 5G technology and this new world record underscore T-Mobile’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge capabilities for consumers, businesses, and industries, positioning the company at the forefront of global telecommunications innovation.
Disclaimer: Speeds may vary by location, and typical download speeds on T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G network are between 89-418 Mbps, with peak speeds exceeding 1Gbps. Snapdragon and Qualcomm-branded products are trademarks or registered trademarks of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.
