AT&T to Launch Standards-Based 5G Access Later This Week
5G is about to become a reality, as AT&T announced it will be the first in the nation to provide access. That access will be limited, as first: The carrier is providing 5G in only 12 cities at the start, and only with a pricey mobile hotspot.
The first 12 cities to get 5G are Atlanta, Georgia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Dallas, Texas; Houston, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; Jacksonville, Florida; Louisville, Kentucky; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; New Orleans, Louisiana; Raleigh, North Carolina; San Antonia, Texas; and Waco, Texas.
The 5G service will first be available for free for 90 days to select consumers and businesses. Starting in the spring, customers will be able to buy the Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot for $499, and sign on for 15GB of data for $70 per month. In its press statement, AT&T didn't make any claims about what speeds 5G customers should expect.
Verizon has launched a 5G residential offering, already, but it doesn't use the actual 5G standard. That's why AT&T is boasting that its offering uses "a commercial, standards-based mobile 5G network."
AT&T will soon roll out 5G to larger markets, as well. It announced that seven other cities—Las Vegas, Nevada; Los Angeles, California; Nashville, Tennessee; Orlando, Florida; San Diego, California; San Francisco, California; and San Jose, California—will get access in the first half of 2019.
5G phones will begin selling in the first half of 2019.
Related Articles
The coming of 5G will mean a revolution for mobile phone video and gaming, but before that can happen smartphone technology needs an upgrade.
19 Jun 2019
The coming 5G cellular revolution will bring big changes in how consumers view content on-the-go, but even bigger changes in how creators produce it.
19 Feb 2019
With higher resolutions and AR services coming to mobile, 90 percent of 5G traffic will come from video, predicts an expert council.
25 Oct 2018
The telco is partnering with Apple and YouTube to bring streaming video to home customers, but hasn't yet offered price or plan details.
15 Aug 2018
The rise of virtual spaces could dramatically change how people work, play, and interact. Before that happens, VR needs stable and fast wireless connectivity.
22 Jun 2017