April Report From Ookla: ‘A Return to mmWave 5G’
The report from Ookla highlights a divergence in global 5G spectrum strategies. While many countries focused on mid-band spectrum for 5G, the U.S. primarily pursued millimeter wave (mmWave) technology. mmWave networks, though initially slow to develop internationally, are showing continued growth in the U.S. Data from Ookla's RootMetrics and Speedtest Insights reveals this ongoing expansion. Verizon has the most prominent mmWave presence, appearing in a significant percentage of its network samples. AT&T also has a smaller but present mmWave footprint. T-Mobile's mmWave presence is nearly negligible in the U.S. Verizon's mmWave network has expanded to cover more markets over time. mmWave technology is characterized by its extremely small coverage area, with most connections detected within a few hundred feet of a transmitter. Despite this limitation, mmWave can deliver download speeds exceeding 1 Gbps. Top U.S. cities for Verizon's mmWave performance include Denver, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Boston. In conclusion, mmWave 5G is largely a U.S. phenomenon, predominantly utilized by Verizon and to a lesser extent by AT&T.