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AT&T is upgrading its 5G network by adding more C-band spectrum, which plays a crucial role in transmitting data from smartphones to nearby cell towers. The company has been deploying spectrum in the C-band and 3.45 GHz frequencies, known as mid-band spectrum, due to their balanced combination of high capacity and wide coverage range. Currently, AT&T’s mid-band network covers approximately 175 million people, while its low-band spectrum extends to an additional 290 million people.

This move by AT&T follows Verizon’s similar upgrade announcement as both carriers strive to utilize their newly acquired radio airwaves to enhance their networks. Verizon stated that it is ahead of schedule by four months for deployment. Although AT&T did not participate in the 3.45 GHz auction, it invested billion in the FCC’s C-band spectrum auction, with a focus on improving connectivity in rural areas.

By doubling its C-band spectrum, AT&T now has an average of 120 MHz of bandwidth available in every city across the United States. This increase in spectrum will result in significant performance improvements in cities like Denver and Atlanta in the coming months, according to AT&T.

The recent upgrades have been fueled by the Federal Communications Commission’s auction of valuable C-band spectrum licenses in 2021. AT&T was the second-highest bidder in this auction, spending billion for 1,621 licenses. Additionally, AT&T invested .1 billion in the FCC’s 3.45 GHz auction, acquiring 1,624 licenses.

To meet the FCC’s C-Band Transition Order, spectrum licenses must be cleared by December 5th. The FCC is offering billion-dollar incentives to providers who complete this process early. Satellite companies have already completed this transition, granting AT&T and Verizon early access to their full C-band spectrum holdings.

Cities with AT&T’s C-band and mid-band spectrum access include Albany, Austin, Birmingham, Boston, Brownsville, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Fresno, Greenville, Harrisburg, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Little Rock, Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Raleigh, Rochester, Sacramento, Saint Louis, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Syracuse, Tampa, Virginia Beach, Atlanta, Baltimore-Washington DC, Memphis, Denver, Baton Rouge, Louisville, Huntsville, Charleston, Mobile, Columbia, Knoxville, Buffalo, Augusta, Lafayette, Tulsa, Pensacola, Chattanooga, Biloxi, El Paso, Savannah, Lubbock, and Jackson.

Note: This rewrite includes additional information about AT&T’s C-band and mid-band spectrum deployment and provides an expanded list of cities that have access to this enhanced network coverage. Author information, contact information, sources of information, and quotes have been removed, as per your request. Images and HTML tags have also been removed.

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