What You Need to Know
- Rumors suggest that T-Mobile is planning to completely shut down its LTE network as part of its ongoing shift to
5G standalone (5GSA) service. - A leaked document claims T-Mobile will maintain LTE support only until 2035, though most of the network
phase-out may occur by 2028. - The same document also states that starting January 1, 2026, all new devices activated on T-Mobile’s network
must support 5GSA to ensure compatibility with the upcoming 5G-only infrastructure.
T-Mobile’s 5G-Only Future
According to a report from The Mobile Report, citing a leaked internal document (via 9to5Google), T-Mobile is setting the stage for a full transition from LTE to 5G standalone service. The carrier reportedly plans to “re-farm” its LTE spectrum for 5G over the next few years, with the process expected to take at least two years to complete.
The document outlines a “LTE to 5G standalone transition” strategy, indicating that the LTE network will be maintained only until 2035. After that, contracts relying on LTE will no longer be renewed. As this transition progresses, T-Mobile anticipates network degradation for LTE and 5G non-standalone (NSA) users, stemming from spectrum reallocation and reduced LTE capacity. Reports suggest the carrier could scale LTE down to a single 5MHz channel for legacy users before shutting it off entirely.
By requiring that all devices activated on its network after January 1, 2026 be 5GSA-compatible, T-Mobile aims to avoid service issues once LTE is retired. If the leak is accurate, the majority of the migration to 5G-only services could happen by 2028—well ahead of the 2035 sunset date.
Limited Impact for Most Users
While the end of LTE may sound drastic, most consumers likely won’t feel much impact. Nearly all recent smartphones, tablets, and wearables already support 5GSA connectivity. As such, the gradual LTE sunset will mostly affect older devices or legacy enterprise contracts.
Still, this marks a significant milestone in the industry’s broader move away from legacy networks and toward the next era of wireless connectivity.
T-Satellite Expansion Adds New Capabilities
Alongside its network evolution, T-Mobile recently announced new “Satellite-ready” app support for its T-Satellite network, which provides connectivity via satellite when traditional cell service isn’t available. As of October 1, users on both Android and iOS can access several supported apps through satellite links, including WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), and AccuWeather.
Through this service, users can post on social media, send messages, share photos, and even make standard or video calls on WhatsApp—all without a cellular signal. This expansion underscores T-Mobile’s growing focus on next-generation connectivity, both on the ground and beyond it.
, T-Mobile is setting the stage for a full transition from LTE to 5G standalone service. The carrier reportedly plans to “re-farm” its LTE spectrum for 5G over the next few years, with the process expected to take at least two years to complete.){kind=link}