5G C-Band may officially launch in Reno area on December 5
December 5, 2023 was the original deadline for 280 MHz of C-Band Spectrum to be released by satellite operators in the market which includes the Reno area. Verizon won 200 MHz in the 2021 3.7 GHz FCC C-Band spectrum auction, while AT&T won a total of 120 MHz in 2 different auctions (3.7 GHz & 3.45 GHz). T-Mobile and Dish also won spectrum in the 3.45 GHz auction, but do not appear to have near-term plans to deploy it in the Reno area at this time.
However, carriers were able to access the auction winnings early thanks to clearing agreements with satellite operators. Verizon started adding C-Band to existing sites in April, and AT&T started last month. The newly added spectrum will increase the amount of spectrum needed for greater 5G capacity and speed by about 140% (AT&T) to 360% (Verizon).
As of Thanksgiving Day 2023, Verizon and AT&T don’t official list the Reno area as 5GUW or 5G+ markets, but their coverage maps show a little bit of coverage from various cell sites in the Reno area and Incline Village. With the December 5, 2023 initial deadline looming, the carriers may officially launch C-Band on that date.
According to observations and public records, to-date Verizon has added C-Band equipment on 20 of their 81 cell sites serving the Truckee Meadows, with current plans for 41 additional upgrades. AT&T has added C-Band on 8 of their 60 cell sites serving the same area, with current plans for 19 additional upgrades.
For more up-to-date details, see our Reno wireless cell sites leaderboard post.