T-Mobile tech chief throws shade at Verizon's 5G network

Neville Ray wants to see a 5G coverage map from the rival carrier.

Corinne Reichert Senior Writer

Corinne Reichert (she/her) grew up in Sydney, Australia and moved to California in 2019. She holds degrees in law and communications, and currently writes news, analysis and features for CNET across the topics of electric vehicles, broadband networks, mobile devices, big tech, artificial intelligence, home technology and entertainment. In her spare time, she watches soccer games and F1 races, and goes to Disneyland as often as possible.

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Corinne Reichert

Aug. 1, 2019 8:26 a.m. PT

2 min read

samsung-galaxy-s10-5g-lg-v50-thinq-comparison-3 — T-Mobile wants to see a Verizon 5G coverage map.
Angela Lang/CNET

T-Mobile Chief Technology Officer Neville Ray is doubtful of Verizon's 5G network expansion plans, tweeting that he wants to see a coverage map. His comments follow Verizon announcing earlier Wednesday the expansion of its 5G network to Atlanta, Detroit, Indianapolis and Washington, DC, in addition to already being live in Chicago, Denver, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Providence.

5G, also already launched in some parts of the US by T-Mobile, Sprint and AT&T, is being tapped by smartphones to provide faster speeds and more capacity.

🤔 On the eve of Verizon earnings, there are some things I’ve been wondering…

What is Verizon’s “secret” 5G plan to expand 5G coverage beyond the limits of mmWave⁉️https://t.co/5Tbgnk8RZD
— Neville (@NevilleRay) July 31, 2019

"What is Verizon's 'secret' 5G plan to expand 5G coverage beyond the limits of mmWave?!" Ray tweeted, referring to the millimeter-wave high-band spectrum being used by Verizon for its 5G network.

"Verizon says they will have a 'multi-spectrum strategy.' So they don't have one now... when will they have one? Tomorrow?!" he added in another tweet.

T-Mobile's $26.5 billion merger with Sprint was OK'd this week, giving it access to multiple 5G spectrum bands. Spectrum, or radio airwaves, make the wireless system work -- and by adding spectrum in several bands, capacity and speeds will keep increasing.

🤔 Verizon says they launched 5G in 4 more cities, but they still won’t tell customers where it is🤷‍♂️
WHEN WILL THEY FINALLY PUBLISH A 5G COVERAGE MAP⁉️ https://t.co/KY9ivtN7mY
— Neville (@NevilleRay) July 31, 2019

Ray expressed doubts Verizon will be able to deliver gigabit-speed 5G with its current spectrum strategy.

"Verizon says their 5G network will continue to have 'the speeds we're seeing now,'" he also tweeted Wednesday. "Where is this 'secret' spectrum coming from that will deliver Gigabit speeds… AND broad coverage?!"

Verizon declined to comment.

First published at 5:07 p.m. PT on July 31.
Updated on Aug. 1 at 8:26 a.m. PT: Verizon declined to comment.