T-Mobile US
2G Cell ID Layout
Sector ID | Frequency Band | Direction |
1 | 1900 MHz (PCS) | North East |
2 | 1900 MHz (PCS) | South |
3 | 1900 MHz (PCS) | North West |
3G (UMTS/HSPA)
T-Mobile uses AWS (1700/2100 MHz) and PCS (1900MHz) spectrum for 3G. In some areas, T-Mobile has migrated HSPA from AWS to PCS to allow more bandwidth for AWS LTE.
Cell ID Layout
Sector ID | Frequency Band | Direction |
1,4 | 1700/2100 MHz (AWS) | North |
2,5 | 1700/2100 MHz (AWS) | South West |
3,6 | 1700/2100 MHz (AWS) | South East |
The second value is the DC-HSPA (dual cell HSPA) second cell. So 1 and 4, 2 and 5, and 3 and 6 face the same direction.
Sector ID | Frequency Band | Direction |
7 | 1900 MHz (PCS) | North |
8 | 1900 MHz (PCS) | South West |
9 | 1900 MHz (PCS) | South East |
4G (LTE)
T-Mobile has deployed LTE on AWS (1700/2100 MHz, Band 4), PCS (1900MHz, Band 2), and 700 MHz A block (Band 12). AWS is T-Mobile's primary LTE band. It was used exclusively during T-Mobile's initial LTE deployment in 2013. PCS spectrum began deployment in 2014 as a cost-saving measure to allow rural 2G-only sites to be upgraded without requiring new antenna panels. Markets where T-Mobile holds limited AWS spectrum, such as Cincinnati, also use LTE on PCS spectrum. 700 MHz is in the early stages of deployment and will added to existing sites to improve building penetration and coverage area.
Cell ID Layout
Sector ID | Frequency Band | Direction |
1 | 1700/2100 MHz (AWS) | |
2 | 1700/2100 MHz (AWS) | |
3 | 1700/2100 MHz (AWS) | |
4 | 1700/2100 MHz (AWS) OR 700 MHz | |
5 | 700 MHz | |
6 | 700 MHz | |
11 | 1900 MHz (PCS) | |
12 | 1900 MHz (PCS) | |
13 | 1900 MHz (PCS) | |
14 | 1900 MHz (PCS) | |
21 | 700 MHz | |
22 | 700 MHz | |
23 | 700 MHz | |
24 | 700 MHz |
Band 12 has been reported on sectors 4-6 and sectors 21-23. It is unclear what will become the preferred layout.
AWS Migration
T-Mobile is migrating their 3G AWS spectrum to be used for 4G LTE
Here’s a full lowdown on the markets having their AWS 3G/4G networks shut down this year:
Indianapolis – February 25th
Louisville – May 18th
Chicago – June 18th
Houston – July 15th
Los Angeles – July 22nd
Albuquerque – July 25th
El Paso – July 25th
Oklahoma City – July 27th
Savannah (Jacksonville) – July 27th
Baton Rouge (Mobile) – July 27th
Columbus (Atlanta) – July 27th
Griffin (Atlanta) – July 27th
Charleston (Carolina) – July 27th
Kansas City – August 3rd
Roanoke (Virginia) – August 3rd
St. Louis – August 5th
Nogales (Phoenix) – August 10th
Madera (Sacramento) – August 10th
Boise City (SLC) – August 10th
Del Rio & Kingsville (Austin) – August 10th
Miami – August 20th
Laredo (Austin) – August 20th
Biloxi, Hattiesburg (Mobile) – August 20th
Anniston, AL (Birmingham) – August 20th