5G Performance at Wrigley Field: T-mobile Outpaces Verizon and AT&T
CHICAGO – A recent test of 5G network performance at Wrigley Field revealed T-mobile as the fastest carrier during a three-hour period, despite ongoing challenges with network congestion at large events. The findings, gathered while observing a baseball game, highlight the persistent struggle of mobile networks to maintain consistent speeds when faced with concentrated user demand, even with the rollout of 5G technology.
Mobile network reliability is critical for modern stadium experiences, impacting everything from ticket access and mobile ordering to instant replay viewing and social media sharing for tens of thousands of fans. While 5G promised to alleviate these issues, the test demonstrates that network capacity remains a critically important hurdle, especially in densely populated areas. The results offer a snapshot of real-world performance for Verizon,T-Mobile,and AT&T,and underscore the need for continued infrastructure investment to support the growing demands of connected venues.
The testing methodology involved recording signal strength and speed measurements from each carrier at various locations within the stadium. T-Mobile recorded the highest number of instances in each speed tier: 18 instances of speeds greater than 100 Mbps, 14 instances between 50-99 Mbps, and 11 instances between 25-49 Mbps. Verizon registered 7 instances above 100 Mbps, 8 between 50-99 Mbps, and 10 between 25-49 Mbps. AT&T lagged behind with 2 instances exceeding 100 Mbps, 5 between 50-99 Mbps, and 8 between 25-49 Mbps.
Here’s a breakdown of the results:
| Category | Verizon | T-mobile | AT&T |
|---|---|---|---|
| >100 Mbps | 7 | 18 | 2 |
| 50-99 Mbps | 8 | 14 | 5 |
| 25-49 Mbps | 10 | 11 | 8 |
| <25 Mbps | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| Single Digits | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Double Digits | 7 | 2 | 10 |
| Triple Digits | 0 | 5 | 0 |
Notably, Verizon did not register any instances of single-digit speeds and had the most occurrences in the triple-digit range, though T-Mobile surpassed it in overall high-speed performance. The author observed that Verizon’s performance, while not hitting the lowest speeds, didn’t consistently deliver the fastest experience.
The test acknowledged its limitations, emphasizing the small sample size and the confined location. The data represents network performance during a specific three-hour window and isn’t necessarily indicative of broader network capabilities. The author contacted all three carriers for comment and will update the article with their responses.
Despite the challenges, the findings align with the author’s personal experience as a T-Mobile customer, illustrating a common issue: network congestion at large gatherings. The promise of 5G, nearly seven years after its initial rollout, has yet to fully resolve this problem, suggesting that further infrastructure improvements are needed to ensure reliable connectivity at popular venues.
