T-Mobile could lead the charge in killing off LTE

It looks like another chapter in mobile technology is coming to a close. T-Mobile is apparently preparing to shut down its LTE network, moving further toward a future focused on 5G.

According to leaked internal documents obtained by The Mobile Report, the Un-carrier plans to begin the LTE phase-out in early 2026, with the majority of its 4G infrastructure expected to go offline by 2028. This is part of a bigger effort to modernize the network and make more room for 5G Standalone, which offers faster speeds and better performance. LTE will not disappear all at once, but this gradual change means we will slowly bid farewell to a technology that has been widely used for the past decade.

Starting January 1, 2026, T-Mobile will begin enforcing stricter activation rules for new LTE-only and non-standalone (NSA) 5G devices, especially for business accounts, as per the leaked document. Enterprise customers trying to activate older devices that rely primarily on LTE will need special approval from the carrier. Presumably by 2028, most of the company’s LTE capacity will be repurposed to enhance its 5G coverage, particularly in mid-band and low-band frequencies, which offer a balance of speed and range.

A small LTE lifeline until 2035

Nonetheless, T-Mobile will likely maintain a small portion of its LTE network nationwide to support older devices and systems that still require it. This backup network may stay in place until 2035, helping devices that cannot switch to 5G. However, new LTE activations are likely to be limited after 2026.

This shift mirrors T-Mobile’s past network shutdowns. The carrier discontinued its 3G network in 2022 and began phasing out its 2G GSM service earlier in 2025, often offering free or discounted upgrades to affected users. It’s expected that T-Mobile will follow a similar approach with the LTE sunset, meaning customers are likely to receive device replacement options or trade-in incentives. While consumers with newer smartphones won’t feel an immediate impact, those with 4G-only phones or older IoT devices may eventually experience reduced functionality or lost service in some areas as the transition progresses.

Other US carriers are expected to make similar moves, so the LTE era is slowly coming to an end. There is no need to worry right now; your 4G phone will keep working for a while. Still, by the end of the decade, LTE will mostly be a thing of the past, at least for T-Mobile customers.