AT&T has activated the valuable mid-band 3.45GHz spectrum acquired from EchoStar, driving significant improvements in 5G network coverage and capacity throughout the United States.
AT&T Amplifies 5G Strength with New Spectrum Deployment
Leveraging the EchoStar spectrum, AT&T has upgraded more than 23,000 cell sites, enhancing 5G download speeds and network capacity across over 5,300 cities in 48 states. This spectrum integration has resulted in up to an 80% increase in 5G download speeds for smartphones and a 55% boost for AT&T Internet Air and 5G home internet users.
AT&T asserts that its wireless network now stands as the largest and most dependable in North America, with these recent enhancements broadening capacity for gaming, media streaming, and AI-powered applications. Additionally, the expanded spectrum enables AT&T to grow its fixed wireless access service, reaching more customers nationwide.
"We’ve put EchoStar spectrum to work on our network and customers are already feeling the difference. We’re setting the bar for what it means to be the best advanced networking company in America," said Jeff McElfresh, AT&T's chief operating officer, in November 2026.
Network Supremacy: Where Does AT&T Stand?
The competition among AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon over 5G leadership has been intense. According to Ookla's 2025 studies, T-Mobile led with the best overall network across all technologies, including 5G. RootMetrics also favored T-Mobile for 5G availability. Meanwhile, Verizon was recognized for offering the fastest, most reliable 5G network, and AT&T ranked first for overall network quality.
Currently, T-Mobile’s median 5G download speed is 299.36 Mbps, well ahead of Verizon’s 214.58 Mbps and AT&T’s 158.56 Mbps. However, with an 80% jump in speed due to EchoStar’s spectrum, AT&T is closing the gap, potentially positioning itself closer to T-Mobile’s median performance. AT&T is simultaneously accelerating the transition of its customers to standalone 5G, further enhancing user experience.
Notably, T-Mobile has also acquired low-band 600MHz licenses from EchoStar, though the benefits will take years to fully realize in expanded geographic coverage.
Customer Perception and Future Outlook
A recent poll revealed nearly 35% of users perceive AT&T more favorably after this upgrade. However, about 33% believe AT&T still lags behind, and 32% prefer to reserve judgment until they compare their firsthand experiences across all major carriers.
Beyond the Hype: AT&T's Strategy in Action
While all three major carriers selectively highlight data that bolsters their claims of network superiority, AT&T’s transparent communication about tangible improvements provides customers with clear expectations around performance gains.
