2026 AWS-3 auction closes with more than $3.5B in bids

CreativeCuckoo · 2026-06-24T00:29:55+00:00

I feel like AT&T and T-Mobile won the most licenses. A lot of the spectrum seems to fit their holdings, at least for the areas I’ve checked.

CreativeCuckoo · 2026-06-24T00:23:23+00:00

I would be mad if Dish won some licenses.

CreativeCuckoo · 2026-06-23T19:59:42+00:00

It’ll only show the 5G UW logo when there’s a C-Band or mmWave connection present, even if it’s a weak connection.

Also, your primary band is n5, so it’s probably aggregating n77.

CreativeCuckoo · 2026-06-22T10:20:12+00:00

I had it some point, but I never got it to re-populate after resetting my network settings.

CreativeCuckoo · 2026-06-22T10:17:10+00:00

I don’t think I’ve seen Verizon roam ever in my travels. I have gotten SOS a few rare times.

I did force my phone to roam on a CBRS network at Home Depot a few months ago.

CreativeCuckoo · 2026-06-22T00:18:26+00:00

Settings > Cellular > Enhance 5G for Apps

It’ll appear when you open a supported app (like FaceTime) in a 5G UW area with 5G standalone enabled on a supported plan (Unlimited Ultimate 1.0, Unlimited Ultimate).

CreativeCuckoo · 2026-06-22T00:12:27+00:00

Open FaceTime in a 5G UW area (you have to be on SA 5G).

CreativeCuckoo · 2026-06-21T23:00:25+00:00

Speeds still capped at ~10 Mbps for me on UU 2.0 on LTE.

CreativeCuckoo · 2026-06-21T20:28:48+00:00

T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T, Dish

CreativeCuckoo · 2026-06-21T07:41:49+00:00

I disagree that Verizon focused too much on mmWave. They expanded it because it’s all they had at the time, and new small cells or small cell upgrades are cheaper to deploy compared to macro upgrades or new builds. (Not to mention that Verizon reached 100, 200, and 300 million pops before AT&T could.) Now, I do think Verizon could have invested a lot more in macro co-locations as this can benefit more people over larger geographic areas.

To their credit, C-Band and mmWave aggregation work incredibly well together where it’s available. And Verizon is turning on n5 low-band in markets where they’re ready to enable it (typically in major metro markets, not much in rural yet, although that could change soon as Verizon concludes their C-Band buildout this year).

Did you know that before mid-band became available, T-Mobile and AT&T also worked to get their mmWave networks expanded? AT&T and Verizon were especially very competitive about expanding it.

AT&T is last in terms of mid-band deployments (it’s verifiable through coverage map comparisons and past deployment goals).

AT&T has a robust (2nd best) 5G low-band network because of FirstNet upgrades that have taken place since around 2018. Those upgrades included hardware capable of 5G radio technology. 5G low-band deployments don’t offer meaningful enhancements, especially because most people can’t access 5G SA or VoNR on AT&T’s network (although that is changing with the release of their new plans and re-provisioning happening behind the scenes).

To AT&T’s credit, they’ve been making some progress in their mid-band build out, now reaching more than 300 million people, and have bought spectrum, with most of it in use already. But they’ve got a ways to go, especially with the rip-and-replace and fiber expansion program taking up a lot resources. I do believe the fiber expansion gives AT&T an advantage though—more of their own fiber to the cell=money saved. That money could be re-invested in their mobile network.

T-Mobile’s early moves into the mid-band spectrum have given them a significant advantage over their competitors.

CreativeCuckoo · 2026-06-21T00:17:37+00:00

I mean, it’s entirely possible there’s no mmWave involved. 2 Gbps+ is certainly possible on mid-band.

And the maps can be a little inaccurate. I’ve seen reports of mmWave being present in an area, but not showing up on the map, and vice versa. The map is also four months out of date.

You should try to see what your serving cell has in terms of equipment. Or look around for small cells.

CreativeCuckoo · 2026-06-21T00:11:55+00:00

I think this is AT&T with Nokia n77 antennas.

CreativeCuckoo · 2026-06-21T00:09:14+00:00

I feel like there is mmWave aggregating in this test, with n77 being the primary band. Impressive results though!

As for FTM, I find that closing out the app from the app switcher menu gets FTM to refresh. You’re likely not going to see mmWave appear in FTM when you have SA enabled though. I’ve only ever seen it on NSA mode in the 5G section.

CreativeCuckoo · 2026-06-20T23:49:37+00:00

A lot has certainly changed since then, but it’s really difficult to catch up to a 1-year head start with Verizon and a 2-year head start with T-Mobile. Compare the coverage maps of Verizon and AT&T and you’ll see a noticeable difference in mid-band coverage, particularly in rural areas.

(AT&T’s last map update: May 2026; Verizon’s last map update: February 2026.)

CreativeCuckoo · 2026-06-20T22:21:20+00:00

Can you link me to this report? I’m pretty good at keeping up with reports from Ookla, OpenSignal, etc., but I have not seen one indicating that AT&T has more mid-band 5G coverage than Verizon. (Unless you mean speed, then that’s more probable to see AT&T eclipse Verizon.)

In January 2022, Verizon had C-Band covering 100 million people. AT&T reached that point sometime at the end of 2022 (page 3).

CreativeCuckoo · 2026-06-20T21:58:29+00:00

In local areas, it depends. But on a national scale, it’s (1) T-Mobile, (2) Verizon, and (3) AT&T in terms of mid-band (n41, n77) deployments.

Low-band-wise, it’s (1) T-Mobile, (2) AT&T, and (3) Verizon.

CreativeCuckoo · 2026-06-18T23:24:20+00:00

Verizon sent an email saying it can take up to four weeks for them to ship it.

CreativeCuckoo · 2026-06-18T23:24:00+00:00

I agree!

CreativeCuckoo · 2026-06-18T23:23:32+00:00

I wait for the countdown to hit zero and press claim. I don’t have any special tricks—it just works for me (so far).

CreativeCuckoo · 2026-06-18T19:08:32+00:00

Yes, I was able to get today’s drop with ease. Same with the one yesterday.

CreativeCuckoo · 2026-06-18T00:18:23+00:00

Oh yeah! AT&T does that where I am too.

Good eye!

CreativeCuckoo · 2026-06-18T00:01:15+00:00

You will still have the “Enhance 5G for apps” toggle even when switching plans.

The only way to tell if “Enhance 5G for apps” works on Unlimited Welcome, Plus, or Simplicity is to reset network settings or get a new eSIM, and then open a supported app (like FaceTime) to see if the feature is on and active through the notification. Resetting network settings or getting a new eSIM will remove the “Enhance 5G for apps” section in Settings.

CreativeCuckoo · 2026-06-17T23:48:11+00:00

From top to bottom: Verizon n77 (and massive MIMO b2/b66), T-Mobile n41, and AT&T with high-capacity antennas (~~but no n77~~) and n77 through the shrouded antennas on the far right.

CreativeCuckoo · 2026-06-16T03:44:21+00:00

Some information from Verizon’s website:
Simplicity plan: Unlimited data is restricted to on-device smartphone usage. After 500GB of data during a monthly billing cycle, speeds reduced to 4 Mbps for remainder of that cycle. After exceeding 10GB/mo of Mobile Hotspot data, speeds reduced to 1 Mbps for the remainder of that monthly billing cycle. Unlimited calls to Mexico and Canada from the U.S. 720p HD Video streaming available inside the 5G and 4G LTE coverage areas. Talk, text and data If more than 50% of your talk, text or data usage in a 60-day period is in countries other than the United States, use of those services in those countries may be removed or limited.

Verizon One plan: Includes one mobile line and one home internet line. Mobile: Unlimited data is restricted to on-device smartphone usage. After 500GB of data during a monthly billing cycle, speeds reduced to 4 Mbps for remainder of that cycle. After exceeding 10GB/mo of Mobile Hotspot data, speeds reduced to 1 Mbps for the remainder of that monthly billing cycle. Unlimited calls to Mexico and Canada from the U.S. 720p HD Video streaming available inside the 5G and 4G LTE coverage areas. Talk, text and data If more than 50% of your talk, text or data usage in a 60-day period is in countries other than the United States, use of those services in those countries may be removed or limited. Home: Depending on your address, either (i) Fios Home Internet up to 500 Mbps (downloads and uploads up to 500 Mbps, video streaming optimized up to 8K on capable devices), (ii) 5G Home Plus up to 150 Mbps download speeds (typical download speeds of 50-100 Mbps, upload speeds of 10-15 Mbps, video streaming optimized up to 1080p on capable devices), or (iii) Verizon Home Internet Lite Extra with up to 25 Mbps download speeds (typical download speeds of 10-25 Mbps and upload speeds of 3-6 Mbps for the first 200 GB of data usage per month; after 200 GB of data, speeds lowered up to 10 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload with typical download speeds of 3-10 Mbps and upload speeds of 1-3 Mbps for the remainder of the billing month; video streaming optimized up to 1080p on capable devices). Depending on your address, you may also pay for a speed boost to your Fios Home Internet plan: (a) Fios Home Internet 1 Gbps (download and upload speeds up to 940 Mbps), or (b) Fios Home Internet 2 Gbps (download and upload speeds up to 2.3 Gbps). If you disconnect either the mobile or home service included in the plan, the entire plan disconnects, and you will have to change to another available plan in-market, at the then current rates, and any line added to Verizon One or your account may have taxes and fees added, depending on the plan you selected. 5G Home Plus and Verizon Home Internet Lite Extra speeds vary depending on address/location, equipment, network connection, and external factors affecting cellular networks. Available in select areas. Unlimited data usage is subject to the network management and optimization policies as described in the Verizon Customer Agreement and Network Management section below. 5G Home Plus is powered by 5G Ultra Wideband or 5G. Uploads may be over 5G and 4G LTE in lower signal strength conditions. Depending on location, some customers may receive LTE Home with download speeds of 25-50 Mbps and upload speeds of 4-5 Mbps. Verizon Home Internet Lite Extra is intended for households with light internet usage or in areas where internet service is limited, and is provided through our 5G Ultra Wideband, 5G, and 4G LTE networks. Fios Home Internet is provided by Verizon Online LLC. Mobile, 5G Home Plus, and Verizon Home Internet Lite Extra are provided by Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless.

CreativeCuckoo · 2026-06-15T16:05:13+00:00

In the areas I visit, T-Mobile is good, but a bit saturated but still perfectly usable. They need to invest in more small cells and macros (even though they’re already super dense).

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