T-Mobile Coverage Map: 5G & 4G LTE Service Near You

T-Mobile is not only one of the leading 5G networks in the U.S., its partnership with Starlink has made its coverage especially unique as it has access to over 650 satellites (compared to only 10 with Verizon’s satellite service).

Key takeaways:

• Leader in 5G: According to the Opensignal January 2026 report, T-Mobile enters 2026 as the undisputed 5G champion. It wins awards in overall 5G coverage experience, 5G availability, consistency, and reliability.
• Rural 4G: T-Mobile offers better rural coverage (especially in Florida and Illinois, according to Ookla Speedtest data) since it has officially begun "refarming" 4G frequencies to 5G.
• T-Satellite service updates: T-Mobile and Starlink have partnered up so that when your T-Mobile phone loses service, it automatically connects to a satellite on a qualifying plan. As of late 2025, you can send text messages and use some limited apps. As long as you can see the sky, you can stay connected. Check it out on T-Mobile’s Experience Beyond plan.

There are four ways to see if you get T-Mobile coverage in your area:

1. Visit T-Mobile’s site and check their official coverage map. You can look beyond T-Mobile coverage by zip code and search the signal strength block-by-block. It will show you if you have access to T-Mobile’s 5G UC or if you’re in the new T-Satellite safety net. T-Mobile’s maps are considered the most accurate for outdoor signal, but not entirely accurate for indoor or rural signal. The map on T-Mobile’s site assumes you are standing outside in clear weather.
2. Download the T-Life app. Go to the “Manage” or “Network” tab. The app uses your phone’s internal sensors to give you a more realistic indoor and outdoor signal.
3. Use nPerf or CellMapper. These are third-party and independent tools that crowdsource data from real users. You can find the nearest T-Mobile tower and what speeds people have actually recorded at that spot.
4. Try out T-Mobile free for 30 days. You can keep your existing phone and carrier. It doesn’t require you to enter your credit card information. The trial automatically ends after 30 days.

When you see the 5G UC icon on your phone, that means you’re connected to T-Mobile’s “fast lane” and the highest-performing part of its network. It’s most common in cities, suburban areas, and high-traffic areas (like malls and airports). This 5G frequency is all about more speed, less lag. It gives you better overall performance in activities such as watching, gaming, and data-heavy work.

T-Mobile 5G Extended Range is a low-band 5G network that makes up the bulk of T-Mobile’s 5G coverage. This layer of 5G can travel further from cell towers. It reaches where 5G UC struggles (like in thick concrete buildings and rural areas). When connected to extended range, your phone will simply display the 5G icon.

When 5G fails, the 4G LTE network kicks in, reaching 99% of Americans. However, In 2026, T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network has turned into a “legacy” network. T-Mobile is keeping it for older devices and hardware. But now it is actively refarming 4G airwaves to make its 5G network more powerful. If your smart phone accesses 4G only, it’s going to be significantly slower in 2026. Time to upgrade!

We broke down what to expect between T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T coverage.

T-Mobile is the consistent winner in overall experience including awards for consistency and reliability. For 5G coverage and availability, T-Mobile also beats out Verizon and AT&T. As for Verizon, it wins out in overall coverage experience and 5G video experience. At Broadbandmap.com, Verizon dominates in coverage in the East Coast over T-Mobile. According to the 2025 State of the Mobile Union Report, T-Mobile delivers big speeds and high 5G availability in cities, while Verizon’s 5G network stands out for best overall network performance in major cities, ahead of AT&T and T-Mobile.

While T-Mobile is the only carrier to get median download speeds of at least 100Mbps in metro areas (according to the 2025 State of the Mobile Union Report), AT&T takes the honors for broad strength, showing faster speeds in major cities. In the 2026 Opensignal Report, AT&T beats out T-Mobile and AT&T as the winner of the Time on Network category. According to Broadbandmap.com, T-Mobile excels in urban 5G speed and reach while AT&T offers broader rural 4G LTE coverage. 

Main takeaways:

• Pick T-Mobile if you live in a city or suburb and want the fastest possible data for the lowest price. Its 5G UC footprint is larger than the rest.
• Pick Verizon if you want the most stable network for video calls and professional reliability. While its 5G footprint is smaller than T-Mobile’s, its connection is rated as more stable and likely won’t drop, according to the 2026 Opensignal report.
• Pick AT&T if you spend a lot of time driving through rural states or remote "middle-of-nowhere" regions. Because of its buildout of FirstNet (AT&T’s dedicated public safety network), it has expanded rural coverage and built towers in remote areas to ensure better communication for emergency services. While you can sign up for FirstNet if you are an eligible public safety individual, it is not available to the average user. However, because of this rural buildout, you’ll more likely have a usable 4G and 5G signal in a rural valley with AT&T (according to the International Fire & Safety Journal) even if it doesn’t always give you the fastest speeds.

Want the T-Mobile network without the big T-Mobile prices? You could ditch the cheapest T-Mobile plan at $65 per month and get something as cheap as $6 per month (Tello for the win) for the same coverage.

As mentioned above, MVNOs don’t own their own cell towers and infrastructure. Instead, they borrow the cell towers from T-Mobile (AT&T or Verizon), and then sell their cell service under their own brand. For this reason, you can still get T-Mobile coverage for a much more affordable price (especially if you’re willing to forgo perks like T-Mobile Tuesdays).

Check out our page on the best T-Mobile MVNOs that includes a comprehensive list of all T-Mobile MVNOs and their affordable prepaid plans.

Our top four picks for best overall T-Mobile MVNOs include:

1. Mint Mobile
2. US Mobile
3. Tello
4. Red Pocket