T-Mobile US is taking a significant step in advancing 5G Advanced technology through recent field tests involving six-component carrier aggregation (6-CA). This achievement combined low and mid-band spectrum on its 5G Standalone (SA) network, reaching downlink speeds as high as 6.3 Gbps.
The tests were conducted using Nokia equipment and Qualcomm’s latest X85 5G modem-RF chips, on a commercial Samsung Galaxy S25 and a non-commercial mobile test device. In real-world conditions, employing a Snapdragon X80 5G Modem-RF System, one of the tests registered speeds of 4.3 Gbps on the commercial device. Meanwhile, using Qualcomm’s X85 chipset, the peak speed of 6.3 Gbps was achieved in what T-Mobile US describes as a glimpse into the future evolution of 5G Advanced.
“With 6-Carrier Aggregation, we’re not just adding another feather to our cap—we’re accelerating the future of 5G Advanced,” said Ulf Ewaldsson, president of technology for T-Mobile US. “This milestone isn’t just about speed; it’s about building a network that delivers exactly what our customers need—unparalleled performance, reliability, and innovation.”
During the tests, T-Mobile US utilized its 2.5 GHz, PCS, AWS, and 600 MHz spectrum, showcasing its collaboration with longstanding partners like Nokia and Qualcomm. Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia, stated, “
This achievement in collaboration with our long-standing partners, T-Mobile US and Qualcomm Technologies, reflects Nokia’s commitment to developing 5G Advanced solutions with a strong focus on the areas that matter the most to our customers.”
