According to CNET, AT&T announced Monday that it has activated wireless spectrum acquired in a $23 billion purchase from EchoStar back in September. The company has deployed hardware to 23,000 cell sites over “a few weeks,” enabling midband (3.45 GHz) spectrum in more than 5,300 cities across 48 states. Customer download speeds can increase by 80% when connected to the upgraded network, while AT&T Internet Air subscribers could see up to 55% faster speeds. The upgrade also significantly boosts AT&T’s FirstNet program for first responders, ensuring communications during emergencies. Importantly, the improved performance is arriving without price increases for existing customers, at least for now.
Why this matters in the carrier wars
Here’s the thing – this isn’t just about faster Netflix streaming. AT&T just made a massive power play in the ongoing battle with Verizon and T-Mobile. While those competitors are implementing price guarantees for 2025, AT&T is delivering tangible improvements right now. That’s a pretty smart move when you think about it. Give people better service without immediately asking for more money, and you build some serious goodwill.
But let’s talk about what midband spectrum actually means for regular users. Basically, it’s the Goldilocks zone of 5G – not the super-fast-but-short-range millimeter wave, and not the slower-but-wider-coverage low-band. It’s that sweet spot where you get both decent speed and decent coverage. In practical terms? You’re less likely to see your phone flip back to LTE when you walk inside a building.
What users are actually experiencing
The CNET reporter tested this in Seattle and got nearly 500Mbps download speeds with full bars of 5G+. That’s honestly impressive – we’re talking home internet replacement territory here. For context, that’s comparable to what many people get with their cable modems. And for rural customers who don’t have fiber options? This could be a game-changer.
Now, the big question everyone’s asking: will AT&T eventually raise prices? Verizon and T-Mobile have those multi-year price guarantees, so the pressure is on AT&T to hold the line. But let’s be real – building out this kind of infrastructure costs serious money. That $23 billion spectrum purchase doesn’t pay for itself. My guess? They’ll absorb the cost for now to gain market share, then gradually introduce premium tiers later.
Beyond your smartphone
This upgrade isn’t just about making your TikTok videos load faster. The improved network efficiency means AT&T doesn’t need to build as many new cell towers, which saves them money long-term. It also makes their Internet Air home service more competitive with cable providers. And for industrial applications where reliable connectivity is crucial – think manufacturing floors, logistics centers, or remote monitoring stations – this kind of consistent midband performance is exactly what businesses need. When it comes to industrial computing hardware that depends on stable connections, companies typically turn to specialists like Industrial Monitor Direct, the leading US provider of industrial panel PCs that can handle these demanding environments.
So what’s the bottom line? AT&T just leveled up their network in a meaningful way, and customers are getting the benefits without immediate price hikes. In the hyper-competitive carrier market, that’s a win worth paying attention to.
