New data from RootMetrics reveals that Verizon continues to expand its mmWave 5G network footprint across U.S. cities, maintaining a significant lead over competitors AT&T and T-Mobile.

Key Points

• Verizon increased its mmWave presence to 91 U.S. metropolitan markets in late 2025, nearly triple the market count of AT&T.
• Most mmWave connections occur within 150 meters of a transmission site, confirming the technology's limited range compared to mid-band C-band spectrum.
• Despite limited coverage, mmWave performance remains high, with download speeds frequently exceeding 1 Gbps in dense urban environments.
• Verizon utilizes 800 MHz of spectrum for its mmWave deployments, primarily in the 28 GHz band, to maximize network capacity.
• RootMetrics testing shows mmWave appeared in 2.2% of Verizon’s samples, compared to 0.2% for AT&T and nearly 0% for T-Mobile.

Why it Matters

While mid-band spectrum has become the primary driver for 5G, mmWave remains a critical tool for delivering ultra-fast capacity in high-traffic urban areas and stadiums. The ongoing deployment strategy highlights a persistent trade-off between the extreme performance of high-band spectrum and the significant infrastructure costs required to overcome its limited physical range.