C Spire customers in dozens of Mississippi communities, including Meridian, now have access to 5G-equivalent speeds up to 200 Mbps, the Mississippi-based company said in a news release. 

“We’re delivering real 5G speeds, better service and an improved customer experience today through widespread use – almost 10,000 route miles – of some of the world’s most advanced technology – fiber optic infrastructure,” said a statement from Brian Caraway, general manager of C Spire’s wireless division. 

The changes include technology supporting higher mobile broadband speeds at 172 cell sites in 40 cities and 31 counties and increased cell site antenna capacity, the company said.

C Spire installed new base stations and software at hundreds of cell sites last year, resulting in a 20 percent average speed boost, according to the release.

Cell sites with 5G speeds include:

• The Delta (ten counties and 29 sites)

• East Central Mississippi (two sites in Meridian)

• Central Mississippi (four counties and 56 sites)

• Gulf Coast (two counties and 19 sites)

• The Pine Belt (four counties and 18 sites)

• Southwest Mississippi (two counties and 8 sites)

• North Mississippi/Golden Triangle (six counties and 30 sites) 

C Spire said it will boost speeds at more cell sites this year.