Band n41 (5G NR, 2.5 GHz TDD)
Understanding Band n41
Band n41 is the engine of T-Mobile's 5G network performance. With up to 194 MHz of contiguous TDD spectrum and 64T64R massive MIMO, T-Mobile achieves the highest mid-band 5G throughput of any US operator. The 2.5 GHz frequency provides a natural advantage over C-band (3.7 GHz): 2.8 dB less path loss per cell, meaning 30% more coverage area from each tower.
The band's TDD nature is a feature, not a limitation, for 5G NR. Channel reciprocity allows the base station to derive downlink beamforming weights from uplink measurements, enabling real-time beam tracking without UE feedback overhead. The 64T64R panels form up to 16 simultaneous beams via MU-MIMO, serving multiple users at peak throughput simultaneously.
Band n41 Technical Parameters
T-Mobile avg: 160 MHz | Max: 190+ MHz
NR Configuration:
SCS: 30 kHz | Max channel: 100 MHz
DL/UL ratio: DDDSU (4:1) typical
Peak DL (100 MHz, 64T64R, 256-QAM): ~2 Gbps
Path Loss (urban macro):
PL = 128.9 + 37.6 log(dkm) dB at 2.5 GHz
vs. C-band (3.7 GHz): −2.8 dB advantage
Coverage: ~30% more area per cell vs. C-band
US Mid-Band 5G Comparison
| Metric | n41 (T-Mobile) | n77 C-Band (Verizon) | n77 C-Band (AT&T) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency | 2.5 GHz | 3.7 GHz | 3.7 GHz |
| Avg Spectrum | 160 MHz | 161 MHz | ~80 MHz |
| MIMO Config | 64T64R | 64T64R | 64T64R |
| Coverage/Cell | ~30% more | Baseline | Baseline |
| Launch | 2020 | Jan 2022 | Jan 2022 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How did T-Mobile acquire Band n41 spectrum?
Via the $26B Sprint merger (April 2020). Sprint held 2.5 GHz through Clearwire's BRS/EBS licenses. T-Mobile now holds avg. 160 MHz nationwide (190+ MHz in some markets), the largest mid-band portfolio of any US operator.
What is the massive MIMO advantage on n41?
At 2.5 GHz (~12 cm wavelength), 64T64R panels are compact. They form up to 16 simultaneous beams via MU-MIMO, achieving 4 to 5x spectral efficiency over legacy 4T4R. TDD channel reciprocity enables optimal beamforming without UE feedback. Single 100 MHz carrier: 1 to 2 Gbps per sector.
How does n41 compare to C-band?
n41 has 2.8 dB less path loss (~30% more area per cell). C-band has more total bandwidth (280 MHz vs. 194 MHz). Both support 64T64R massive MIMO with similar spectral efficiency. T-Mobile's 2020 launch gave it a 2-year coverage head start.