Opensignal Reports Reflect the Reality of Mobile Wireless Innovation and Competition

 On July 5, Opensignal released the latest iterations of its 5G Experience Report as well as its Mobile Network Experience Report. The reports were based on data for mid-March to mid-June 2023.

Opensignal's 5G Experience Report found that Verizon Wireless had the best upload speed of 18.5 Mbps, up nearly 15% from mid-September to mid-December 2022. It also awarded Verizon three "5G experiential awards" for gaming, voice app, and live video. According to the report, T-Mobile had the highest download speeds at 195.9 Mbps. Meanwhile, T-Mobile also had the highest 5G availability, with Opensignal finding that 5G-capable users were connected to 5G 57.9% of the time that those users were on T-Mobile's network.

Opensignal's Mobile Network Experience Report – which includes 4G LTE wireless networks – found that T-Mobile had the best download speeds at 97.1 Mbps, up 17.6 Mbps or 22.1% compared to the prior data collection period of mid-September to mid-December 2022. T-Mobile also had the highest upload speeds, at 11.7 Mbps. And the report found that AT&T had the best network service availability – with a score of 99.4% – based on proportion of time that wireless users have a network connection. 

 

Regardless of which provider came out on top in the categories considered by Opensignal, what is important for consumer welfare in the U.S. is that speed, experience performance, and coverage continue to increase rather than remain static. Also, the report reflects the prevalence of effective competition in the wireless broadband market. A decade ago, the FCC was sometimes reluctant – unjustifiably in the view of Free State Foundation President Randolph May and I – to recognize that the wireless services market was "effectively competitive." But the mobile wireless market in 2023 surely is effectively competitive. Aside from the three major nationwide providers, the report observes that US Cellular will be rolling out its mid-band 5G network across ten states. And the market presence of cable-hybrid mobile virtual network operators (cable MVNOs) Xfinity Mobile and Spectrum Mobile give consumers additional competitive choices. 

 

To promote future improvements in speed, experience performance, and coverage for 5G wireless networks, Congress should restore the FCC's authority to conduct competitive bid spectrum license auctions. More spectrum is needed to support commercial mobile wireless services, particularly mid-band spectrum. Congress should pass H.R. 3565, the Spectrum Auction Reauthorization Act of 2023. If it becomes law, H.R. 3565 would revive the Commission's spectrum license auction authority and it also would direct the NTIA to conduct feasibility studies for making spectrum in the 4 GHz and 7/8 GHz bands available for commercial use, either on a shared or exclusive basis.