T-Mobile Leads on 5G Performance, but Verizon Catching Up: Ookla

T-Mobile has a “sizable lead on 5G performance” based on Q1 data from Speedtest Intelligence, but Verizon and AT&T also have advantages, Ookla said Wednesday. Verizon is catching up on speed as it deploys C band, and AT&T’s net postpaid adds “exceeded expectations, driven by stronger 4G/LTE performance relative to Verizon, coupled with wider 5G coverage and aggressive postpaid pricing.” Verizon could pull ahead, Ookla said. “Rising costs could well shift the competitive dynamic in Verizon’s favor,” the company said: “While the release of further C-band spectrum will shift this dynamic, that won’t happen until the end of 2023. In the meantime rising inflation will play a larger role, forcing operators to either consider raising prices or absorb additional costs.”