T-Mobile initiates first 5G video and data session on 600 MHz

T-Mobile says it has completed the world’s first 5G video call and data session on 600 MHz during a test on a live commercial network in Las Vegas with the aid of Ericsson and Intel. The carrier, which is trailing the 5G efforts of AT&T and Verizon, also says it completed a 5G video call with three users on different spectrum bands: 600 MHz, 28 GHz and 39 GHz.

During the test, T-Mobile’s engineers were able to use one tower to generate a 5G signal that covered more than 1,000 square miles, according to the carrier. The successful test helped solidify T-Mobile’s plan to use multiple spectrum bandslow-band, mid-band and millimeter wavefor 5G services. T-Mobile’s 5G strategy, particularly the use of mid-band spectrum for broad nationwide coverage, is reliant on a successful merger with Sprint, which is still under review by the FCC.

“While the other guys focus on 5G millimeter wave on a handful of blocks in a handful of cities, we’re building 5G for everyone, everyone. And together with Sprint, we’ll add much-needed spectrum depth, creating a truly transformative 5G network,” T-Mobile CEO John Legere said in a prepared statement.

“5G will power vibrant new use cases that span across network, client and cloudspurring the convergence of computing and communications that will enable exciting use cases ranging from virtual and augmented reality and gaming, to smart cities, connected cars and intelligent data analytics,” Sandra Rivera, senior vice president of Intel’s network platform group, said in a prepared statement.

RELATED: 5G questions hover over T-Mobile, but company promises surprises

T-Mobile will be showcasing the capabilities of its yet-to-be-launched 5G network during a live demonstration at CES this week. The carrier said it is still on track to deliver nationwide 5G in 2020.