Does Tello Support 5G? It Depends On Your Phone!

Tello uses the T-Mobile network for coverage. They do have full access to T-Mobile’s wireless networks including their 4G LTE and 5G networks. So yes, Tello supports 5G. They have access to and use all of T-Mobile’s wireless bands and network towers. However, your phone may not have access to both of these networks.

Sorry iPhone Users, No 5G For You!

In order to actually use 5G with Tello, your phone must meet several requirements. For starters, your phone must be 5G network capable. It also has to be an Android phone. Unfortunately, iPhones cannot get 5G network access through Tello. This isn’t due to Tello’s choosing, it’s due to Apple’s business model.

Apple requires carriers and MVNOs to purchase sizeable quantities of iPhones to sell to their customers. If a wireless provider cannot do that, which is usually because they cannot afford to, Apple will not create a proper carrier settings bundle for that carrier. Without a proper carrier settings bundle, your iPhone cannot access certain features offered by a wireless provider such as 5G network access.

5G On Tello With Android

If you have a 5G network capable Android phone, in order for it to work with Tello’s 5G network it should preferably be unlocked. However, it will also work if it’s a locked T-Mobile branded phone that is fully paid off with no financial commitments attached to it.

Of course, if you want 5G network access with Tello, you must also be living in an area where T-Mobile has built out its 5G network. Fortunately, T-Mobile now offers 5G coverage in an overwhelming majority of places that T-Mobile offers service. T-Mobile’s 5G network reaches 320 million people across 1.8 million square miles. And of those 320 million, 235 million are covered by T-Mobile’s Ultra Capacity 5G network which provides significantly faster data speeds and more bandwidth compared to T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network. By the end of 2023, 300 million people are expected to be covered by the Ultra Capacity 5G network.

For full 5G compatibility with Tello, your phone should support the following wireless bands:

Ultra Capacity 5G Network Bands

• n41 (2500MHz)
• n258 (24GHz)
• n260 (39GHz)
• n261 (28GHz)

Extended Range 5G Network Bands

• n71 (600MHz)

Keep in mind, that the extended range 5G network is designed more for coverage than speed. So when you are connected to this band, don’t expect the blazing fast data speeds that you may get when connected to the Ultra Capacity network.