Network Transition

Delivering on the promise of connectivity.

Next-generation “5G” wireless has gone from hype to reality. After embarking on a multi-billion dollar technology investment campaign, T-Mobile today covers 88% of all Americans with 5G. The company intends to cover 91% of Americans nationwide by the end of 2021 and a stunning 97% of Americans by the end of 2022.

Deploying 5G

What does 5G mean for consumers? Blazing fast speeds, for one. And much lower latency, or lag, between when you request data and when you receive it for another. Lower lag is great for gamers, and it’s indispensable for delivering on the next-generation industrial automation, augmented reality, and other advanced technologies that depend on minimizing delays in data processing over a network connection.

5G Benefits

For operators, moving to more advanced technologies can eliminate inefficient lease expenses for multiple antennas and redundant software license fees, and they also no longer have to spend time and money trying to prolong the life of an aging, under-performing system that no longer has a robust ecosystem of replacement parts and services to sustain it. Finally, transitioning to new network infrastructure reduces energy consumption and increases power efficiency, which produces a less carbon-intensive footprint.

In with the New

One of the oldest networks still in operation is Sprint’s former CDMA network. In 1996, CDMA was the newest, fastest technology boasting speeds that could approach 3.6 Mbps. But two generations of technology and twenty-five years later, CDMA technology is showing its age. 5G networks, including T-Mobile’s Ultra Capacity 5G, deliver speeds some 100 to 300 times faster than CDMA with speeds approaching 1,000 Mbps. 5G also provides advanced E911 location-finding capabilities to help first responders quickly locate people in distress that CDMA simply cannot offer. And unlike CDMA, 5G devices are compatible with the 4G network; therefore, if a disruption on a 5G network results in an outage, customers can roll over to the 4G network to stay connected.
5G Coverage Graph: Graph showing T-Mobile's plan to provide 5G to 318 Millions of American's by 2023

Been There, Done That

The transition from 3G to 4G and 5G is not the first, nor will it be the last transition to a new network technology. Globally, more than twenty 2G networks and at least five 3G networks were decommissioned as of mid-2019. Here in the U.S., AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile have all announced plans to transition from 3G to 4G and 5G networks.
T-Mobile will discontinue use of Sprint’s legacy CDMA network by January 2022. T-Mobile has strong incentives to do everything possible to avoid customer disruptions since consumers can readily move to another operator if they are dissatisfied with the experience. The same should hold true of other operators, such as DISH, which leases spectrum capacity on a wholesale basis from T-Mobile.

Moving on Up

For its part, T-Mobile has adopted a three-part plan to ease the transition for customers.  First, T-Mobile has stopped activating CDMA devices on its networks. Second, T-Mobile has offered a number of promotions to encourage consumers to take advantage of the capabilities of the new networks by upgrading to new, more technically advanced devices. Third, T-Mobile will give those who have not recently upgraded their devices free 5G handset replacements to ensure continuous connectivity.

DISH: CDMA
network shutdown –
“Much Ado About Nothing.”

DISH

When it acquired legacy CDMA customers under the Boost brand last year, DISH said it would cover the cost of migrating those customers to next-generation network infrastructure. Moving customers to 5G can be as straightforward as updating software or swapping out a SIM card.  While some of DISH’s Boost customers will need new handsets, DISH acquired Boost at a significant discount and those savings should, according to the analysts at Bernstein, “more than offset the increased cost of having to upgrade subscriber handsets.” T-Mobile also provided DISH with fourteen months’ advance notice even though DISH had negotiated for just six months’ notice in a commercial agreement approved by both the Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice. Rather than prepare for the transition, DISH has tried to save money by falsely claiming that T-Mobile agreed to keep CDMA active until 2023.
In truth, DISH has had ample time to stop adding legacy CDMA customers and start offering existing ones new devices that can operate on the 4G and 5G networks, just as T-Mobile has done. What’s more – the cost to DISH is insignificant: independent market analysis characterize DISH’s expenses as “not that great” and “much ado about nothing.”

Over and Out

Change is the only constant. As long as consumers demand more bandwidth for rich, immersive applications, network operators will need to transition from existing network infrastructure to new, more advanced and more efficient equipment. Good planning – and no small amount of hard work by service providers – allows consumers to move to faster, more responsive, more accurate, and more reliable next-generation broadband services.

T-Mobile’s Next Un-carrier Move: #5GforAll.

T‑Mobile unveils massive new moves to upgrade America’s phones, homes and small towns to 5G.

T-Mobile President & CEO, Mike Sievert introduces #5G FOR ALL.

Learn more

Dish False Claims

Facts

Dish False Claim

T-Mobile is reneging on its commitments made to keep the CDMA network active until 2023

Fact

T-Mobile made no CDMA commitments and DISH entered into a contract with T-Mobile that expressly provides T-Mobile with the right to sunset the CDMA network on six months advance notice with DISH responsible for the costs of transitioning its customers

Dish False Claim

T-Mobile has accelerated the CDMA sunset timeframe

Fact

The timing of the CDMA sunset is consistent with T-Mobile’s plan of record in the T-Mobile/Sprint merger proceeding and its goal of completing network integration and achieving synergies rapidly

Dish False Claim

T-Mobile’s motivation for sunsetting CDMA network is anti-competitive

Fact

Sunsetting CDMA is an industry wide transition that frees up resources for T-Mobile to expedite and enhance its 5G build, providing vastly better service for consumers and enhancing competition

Dish False Claim

Sunsetting CDMA in T-Mobile’s timeframe will harm consumers without 4G/5G compatible handsets and leave them stranded without service

Fact

Technology transitions are nothing new and there are well known tools that include: (1) stop new activations of CDMA devices; (2) promotions for device upgrades; and (3) free devices, if needed. DISH has the tools – it just needs to do its job

Dish False Claim

T-Mobile made statements under oath to regulators promising to keep CDMA active for three years post-merger close

Fact

No statements (sworn or otherwise) were made that promised to keep CDMA active for at least three years and, DISH’s false claims are based on a statement that made clear that T-Mobile could take up to three years, but it expected to finish sooner

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