In February last year, Google expanded its MVNO partnership with Sprint to include 5G. Now, it’s come to light that Google Fi, an American phone carrier from Google, which promises ‘simpler pricing and smarter coverage’, is already leveraging T-Mobile's 5G network on 5G phones like the new Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra.
Google Fi definitely using T-Mobile's Sub-6 5G network on the Galaxy S20 Ultra. Solid speeds uptown. Happy to see this "just works" with no fuss. pic.twitter.com/fXaZmZrwhCFebruary 27, 2020
Andrew Martonik, Executive Editor of Andriod Central, yesterday tweeted photos of a Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra on Google Fi, taking advantage of T-Mobile’s 5G network, in New York City.
5G speed tests
The cellular indicator in the status bar on the 5G phone showed 5G speed tests with download speeds of over 135Mbps and uploads of around 42Mbps.
Thanks to Martonik’s tweet we can also see the “Mobile networks” page in the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra’s system settings also allows the “5G/LTE/3G/2G (auto connect)” option to be selected.
Millimeter wave usage in NYC
A further tweet from an upbeat Martonik, who was happy to see the solid speeds, said: “Diagnostic screen on the phone says I was on band n261, which if correct would mean I’m on mmWave.”
This comes at a time when T-Mobile in the US has said millimeter wave is available in “pockets of select cities” and Google having yet to detail a specific 5G arrangement.
Last year, Sprint, who is being taken over by T-Mobile, confirmed “5G compatible Designed for Fi phones in a 5G coverage area will be automatically connected to the network,” and this user experience certainly points towards this being a reality.
