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I tested 5G signals of AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon in rural America - here's how your carrier did

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Why This Matters

This real-world testing of 5G networks in rural America highlights the current strengths and limitations of major carriers, informing consumers about coverage quality outside urban areas. It underscores the importance of reliable rural connectivity as the industry advances toward broader 5G deployment, impacting both user experience and future network investments.

Key Takeaways

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ZDNET's key takeaways

I tested 5G on country roads and farmland for three days.

Verizon led in overall network levels, followed by AT&T and T-Mobile.

T-Mobile was the only network to pull in a 5G signal.

My quest to test 5G has taken me to a baseball game and interstates between Chicago and Nashville. Through the journey, I've carried three phones from the three major US carriers to determine which has the best coverage. I just did it again, but I changed some things up.

Also: I compared Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T 5G coverage on a road trip - and the winner surprised me

I still packed my car for a weekend away, and I still had three phones riding in the back seat. I used nPerf (more on that later) to continuously test carrier and network performance throughout the journey. But this time, I went a little John Denver on you and stuck to those old country roads. Interstates were off the menu. As I mentioned during the Nashville trip, it benefits carriers to build networks where people are, like major cities and interstates. So I wanted to go where people were not.

I also changed up the devices. In the past, I carried three Google Pixel 10 Pro phones. This time, I upgraded to three identical Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultras. One of these was provided by Samsung, and the other two came from AT&T and T-Mobile, respectively. All three ran on eSIMs provided by the carriers.

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