C-Band Coverage Maps

Last week, Verizon and AT&T started rolling out service using their recently acquired C-Band spectrum. Up until now, most of Verizon and AT&T’s 5G service hasn’t been particularly fast. With the help of C-Band spectrum, the networks may finally deliver 5G service that lives up to the hype.¹

C-Band Spectrum

Last year, the FCC auctioned off a bunch of C-Band spectrum. In the FCC’s auction, the US was divided into 416 regions called Partial Economic Areas (PEAs). These areas weren’t consistent in size or population. I’ve borrowed an FCC Map that shows these areas and added colors to indicate the availability of C-Band spectrum for cellular networks:²

• Blue: Some C-Band spectrum now available
• White: C-Band spectrum to become available by late 2023
• Red: No C-Band spectrum available

Let’s focus on the blue areas. Those are 46 of the largest PEAs. While these regions make up a minority of the US by land area, about 190 million people live within them (58% of the US population).³ Both Verizon and AT&T hold licenses that allow them to use C-Band spectrum immediately in each of the blue-shaded regions, and these are the only areas where C-Band cell service is permitted right now.⁴

Verizon’s C-Band Coverage

Verizon claims its Ultra Wideband coverage (which includes both millimeter wave and C-Band 5G) already covers over 90 million people. Since Verizon’s millimeter wave coverage is terrible, it’s safe to assume Verizon estimates roughly 90 million people have C-Band coverage.

I’m not sure, but I think Verizon has rolled out at least a little bit of C-Band in each of the 46 eligible PEAs. Right now, Verizon’s C-Band coverage is probably concentrated within big cities. However, with time, Verizon’s C-Band 5G will cover larger and larger portions of the eligible regions.

C-Band Coverage Maps

Verizon shows Ultra Wideband coverage in dark red on its interactive coverage map. While Verizon’s map doesn’t show whether Ultra Wideband coverage comes from C-Band 5G or millimeter wave 5G, you can usually make the distinction for yourself.

When only roads or outdoor areas show up in dark red, we’re dealing with millimeter wave 5G:

In contrast, areas completely shaded in dark red probably have C-Band coverage:⁵

Based on reports I’ve seen so far, I don’t think Verizon’s C-Band mapping is particularly reliable.⁶ It should get better over time, though.

Other Carriers Using Verizon’s Network

I expect cell phone carriers that piggyback on Verizon’s network will gradually gain access to Verizon’s C-Band 5G. At the moment, the two other services that I know have access are US Mobile’s Super LTE and Verizon’s low-cost brand, Visible.

AT&T’s C-Band Coverage

While AT&T holds licenses in all 46 PEAs where C-Band spectrum can be deployed immediately, AT&T is starting small. Right now, eight cities have C-Band service from AT&T:

• Chicago
• Houston
• Miami
• Orlando
• Detroit
• Dallas
• Austin
• Jacksonville

I expect we’ll see AT&T bring more cities onboard soon.

1. Most 5G coverage from AT&T and Verizon has used low-band spectrum that isn’t well-suited to delivering high speeds. While both AT&T and Verizon have technically been offering some ultra-fast millimeter wave 5G, the service’s coverage is extremely sparse.
2. Other companies previously held licenses to C-Band spectrum. The spectrum that’s the topic of this post falls between 3.7-3.98GHz, and it only became available to cellular networks thanks to FCC Auction 107 in 2021.
3. I used the 2010 Census numbers here then added about 8% to account for population growth.
4. In the blue regions, only some of the recently auctioned spectrum is available immediately. More spectrum will open up over the next few years and allow for greater capacity.

   The 46 PEAs in blue all fall within the top 50 largest PEAs by population (according to whatever population numbers the FCC relies on). PEAs encompassing Denver, the DC/Baltimore area, Atlanta, and Honolulu, are also in the top 50 by population. In all of those areas except Honolulu, C-Band spectrum will become available to cellular networks in the next few years. No C-Band licenses for Honolulu were available in the recent C-Band Auction.

5. I suppose these regions may have both C-Band coverage and millimeter wave coverage. Also, millimeter wave coverage may show up apart from roads in parks and other outdoors areas.
6. Sascha Segan from PCMag has an excellent article diving into Verizon’s C-Band 5G and results from Segan’s testing.