T-Mobile has provided a major update to its 5G services by adding support for the L4S standard, short for “Low Latency, Low Loss, Scalable Throughput”. As per the company, the L4S technology on its 5G network reduces latency to deliver a smoother and lag-free video calling and online gaming experience. As part of its 5G Advanced network upgrade, the L4S tech is already live in multiple cities in the US, and more are on the way.
T-Mobile becomes the first telco to offer L4S technology on its 5G networks
T-Mobile highlighted that while wired networks have been providing L4S for some time, it is scaling this tech update for the first time in a 5G wireless network in the US. The brand says that its L4S feature helps reduce the latency, cuts down on data loss, and enhances responsiveness. This standard helps devices manage congestion with internet packets.
“While the other guys still depend on legacy 4G/LTE cores, T-Mobile built a nationwide standalone (SA) 5G network from the ground up”, reads the brand’s press release. Since everything flows on an optimized 5G core, the company has managed to deploy next-gen tech like L4S on a scale on its network.
Get ready to enjoy smoother video calling, online gaming, XR experiences, and more
According to T-Mobile, the L4S technology has potential applications in improved video calling, lag-free cloud gaming, and enhanced remote control sessions. NVIDIA’s GeForce Now cloud gaming service already supports L4S technology, which helps deliver “buttery-smooth controls, less jitter and gameplay that feels closer to a local gaming console — even under network congestion”.
Furthermore, the L4S tech is also capable of providing extended-reality or XR glasses access to low-latency data. It would bring major improvements to the visual experience in AR glasses with steadier frame rates. It could result in less fatigue for users while using such glasses for an extended period.
T-Mobile also mentioned other use cases of this technology. Using this tech, the remote drivers of Vay, a Berlin-based company creating automotive-grade driving technology, experienced predictable, consistent latency. The company said this ultra-low latency and responsiveness is a “game-changer for mobility, logistics, and time-critical safety applications”.
It’s worth mentioning that users don’t need to upgrade to new devices to use T-Mobile’s new L4S low-latency technology. They can continue using their existing devices or plans to take advantage of the benefits from L4S.
