Does T-Mobile use AT&T Towers?
By
HuutiMoney
This blog post will tell you if T-Mobile uses AT&T towers. This article will give you details about both networks. It will also provide you with information related to sharing of the towers and how it is beneficial for the service providers as well as subscribers.
Does T-Mobile use AT&T Towers?
T-Mobile does use AT&T towers in some areas which do not have T-Mobile towers yet, in other areas T-Mobile and AT&T work on different independent networks of their own. As T-Mobile and AT&T both are GSM, T-Mobile has leased AT&T towers for roaming services. But the T-Mobile network is growing day by day and has not renewed the leasing contract in most of the areas.
In some areas-Mobile and AT&T share network towers but they do not share hardware equipment and networking sites. To provide better connectivity and extended coverage in areas where mobile network towers are not installed.
How to check T-Mobile coverage in your area?
If you want to find the T-Mobile coverage in your area you can visit the T-Mobile website and check their network coverage map, which will help you figure out the areas in which T-Mobile has its own network tower and the areas which use shared network. If you are still not sure about the T-Mobile network tower in your area, you can contact the T-Mobile representative to find out about the T-Mobile network towers specifically in your area.
This all will be more clear to you if you understand the working of cellular towers and GSM.
How does a basic cellular network work?
A basic cellular system comprises of three units: a mobile unit, a cell site, and a Mobile Telephone Switching Office
Cellular System
- Mobile unit
It comprises a control unit, a transceiver, and an antenna system.
- Cell site
Its function is to provide an interface between the mobile units and MTSO. It comprises a control unit, radio cabinets, antennas, a power plant, and data terminals.
- Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO)
It is the central coordinating unit for all cell sites. It includes the cellular processor and the cellular switch. It interfaces the telephone company zone offices. The MTSO is responsible for controlling the call processing operations and handling the billing activities of the subscriber. The MTSO is the heart of the cellular system. Its processor provides central coordination and cellular administration. The cellular switch can be analog or digital in nature. It connects the mobile subscribers to other mobile subscribers and to the nationwide telephone network. The cellular switches use voice trunks. They comprise data links that provide supervision links between the processor and the switch and between the cell sites and the processor.
- Connections
The radio and high-speed data links connect the three subsystems i.e. the mobile unit, cell sites, and the MTSO. It carries the voice and signaling between the mobile unit and the cell site. These links cannot be transmitted over standard telephone trunks. They use microwave links or T carriers (wirelines) that carry both voice and data between the cell site and the MTSO. Each mobile unit can use one channel at a time for its communication. But the channel is not fixed. It can be any channel in that service area. Each cell site has multichannel capabilities that can connect to different mobile units simultaneously.
Network sharing:
Most of the cellular companies share their resources to provide service to their customers as the resources are expensive and it is always a good option to install the specific hardware to a shared network. Network sharing maximizes the utilization of available resources.
Basics of network providers
T-Mobile is the third-largest wireless network provider in the United States. T-Mobile is a German telecommunication industry, and it has some investments in other mobile communication industries in Europe and the United States. T-Mobile USA has a network sharing agreement with Cingular Wireless, an American mobile operator. Due to this, T- mobile has access to some top markets in the USA.
AT&T is in the American Telephone and Telegraph industry. It is the second-largest telecom industry in the United States. It’s headquartered in Downtown Dallas, Texas. The technological invention of AT&T provided a base for the world’s telecommunication industry. So as far as the basics of network providers are considered, both these network providers have a strong solid foundation. Considering this factor, there is almost a tie between T- Mobile and AT&T.
NETWORK COVERAGE
Presently, AT&T has significantly improved its coverage area. For the 4G network, AT&T covers 68% of the country whereas T mobile covers.62%. AT&T provides good network convergence for rural areas. While T mobile provides a good coverage network in city areas and suburbs. Network coverage is one of the prime concerns when choosing a particular network provider. There is not a significant difference as far as network coverage is concerned. But AT&T has more network coverage areas. If you are thinking of only coverage area and comparing the two network providers, then depending on your location, you need to take the decision.
Below are other T-Mobile articles you may be interested in:
Can T-Mobile recover deleted text messages?
Can T-mobile account holders see internet history?
Can you use a straight talk phone with T-mobile sim card?
Conclusion:
This blog answers the query if T-Mobile uses AT&T towers. Well in some areas T-Mobile does use AT&T towers on a lease, to give service to the users who are roaming in areas with no T-Mobile towers, But in most of the areas, T-Mobile has its own towers to provide the best service to its users.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs): Does T-Mobile work on AT&T?
Does T-Mobile have cell towers?
Yes, T-Mobile combined with sprint has more than 110000 towers.
Does T-Mobile update towers?
T-Mobile regularly updates and adjusts towers in the country, to provide better network coverage and extended service.
Does T-Mobile use Verizon or AT&T towers?
Both T-Mobile and AT&T use GSM, that’s why in some areas T-Mobile does use AT&T towers, where T-Mobile does not have towers of their own but they do not share hardware and signal.
Which network provider is better for network coverage?
Presently AT&T has significantly improved its coverage area. For the 4G network, AT&T covers 68% of the country, whereas T mobile covers .62%. AT&T provides a good network for rural areas. In comparison, T mobile provides a good coverage network in city areas and suburbs
What are the components of the basic cellular system?
A basic cellular system comprises of three units: a mobile unit, a cell site, and a Mobile Telephone Switching Office
References:
What Carriers Use AT&T’s Network?, By Easton Smith, April 01, 2021
T-Mobile Coverage Map: How It Compares, By Lauren Hannula, 12 November 2021
Does T-Mobile Use AT&T Towers?, July 13, 2020, by Benmin Smith
T-Mobile Cell Phone Plans vs. AT&T Cell Phone Plans, By Chazz Mair, May 11, 2021