T-Mobile and Verizon both offer 5G networks, but they differ significantly in terms of availability.
T-Mobile leads the market with extensive coverage, boasting 53.79% of the U.S. population served by its 5G network. This coverage is particularly strong in urban areas and along highways, making it a favorable choice for users seeking reliable connectivity in those regions[1][5]. In comparison, Verizon's 5G coverage is much more limited, reaching only about 12.77% of the U.S. population[5].
When examining the types of 5G coverage, T-Mobile excels in low-band and mid-band deployments. It has a substantial advantage in low-band coverage, with 36% compared to Verizon's 9%, and in mid-band coverage as well, where T-Mobile holds a fourfold lead (25% vs. 6%) over Verizon[1]. This extensive availability translates to a higher likelihood of users experiencing a 5G connection on T-Mobile's network; Opensignal reports that T-Mobile's availability score is approximately 67.9%, significantly higher than Verizon's 7.7%**[3][4].
While T-Mobile has the edge in availability, Verizon compensates with a focus on reliability and speed in areas where its network is present. Users often report better performance metrics on Verizon's network despite its smaller footprint[1][3]. Overall, T-Mobile is the clear leader in terms of 5G availability across the United States.
Citations:
[1] https://www.phonearena.com/news/t-mobile-vs-verizon_id165567
[2] https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/i-tried-verizon-t-mobiles-5g-home-internet-to-see-if-i-could-kick-cable-to-the-curb/
[3] https://www.pcmag.com/news/t-mobile-still-tops-rivals-for-5g-availability-download-and-upload-speeds
[4] https://www.lightreading.com/5g/t-mobile-results-pile-5g-humiliation-onto-at-t-and-verizon
[5] https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/Guides/5g-coverage-maps-compared
[6] https://www.yournavi.com/plan-comparison/tmobile-vs-verizon-cell-phone-plans
[7] https://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/network
[8] https://www.telecompetitor.com/t-mobile-once-again-strong-overall-verizon-excels-in-5g-report/