T-Mobile plans to phase out most LTE by 2026 to expand 5G Standalone

T-Mobile is preparing to phase out most of its LTE, or 4G, network beginning in early 2026 and repurpose the spectrum to expand its 5G Standalone network, according to an internal company document that has circulated publicly. The carrier plans to stop approving most new LTE and 5G Non‑Standalone device activations for business customers on January 1, 2026, reallocate key frequency bands over the next two years, and retain only a narrow LTE channel for legacy devices through 2035.

The document outlines a multi-year refarming of spectrum currently used for LTE into 5G New Radio bands. It lists LTE bands including 2, 66, 12 and portions of 71 among those earmarked for conversion to 5G equivalents, while T-Mobile’s primary 5G footprint will continue to rely on lowband n71 and midband n41 frequencies. The carrier says the repurposing will accelerate deployment of Standalone 5G, which operates independently of 4G infrastructure and supports features such as Voice over New Radio and network slicing.

Company planning envisions most LTE capacity being repurposed by about 2028, leaving only a single 5 MHz LTE channel operating thereafter. That residual channel is intended to support...