Dallas telecommunication giant AT&T aims to be the first U.S. company to introduce mobile 5G service in a dozen markets by late 2018.
While it is not clear which markets AT&T is targeting, the company says it has spent the past year “laying the foundation” for the advanced high-speed network with a version of the network dubbed “5G Evolution” in 23 major metros, including Hartford and Bridgeport. The company said it has offered “immersive entertainment experiences like augmented and virtual reality while on the go” in these markets.
Promoting the acceleration of industry standards over the past year will help AT&T provide 5G services sooner “without compromising” long-term usage, said Melissa Arnoldi, president, AT&T Technology and Operations.
“We’re moving quickly to begin deploying mobile 5G this year and start unlocking the future of connectivity for consumers and businesses,” Arnoldi said. “With faster speeds and ultra-low latency, 5G will ultimately deliver and enhance experiences like virtual reality, future driverless cars, immersive 4K video and more.”
Latency refers to how long it takes for the network to recognize you’ve requested a chunk of data and to start sending you that data.
The company also expects to try out 5G technology with businesses of all sizes across industries to help them to transform business operations and create more engaging experiences for their customers.
Other major metros where AT&T has laid the foundation for 5G services are: Atlanta; Austin; Boston; Buffalo, N.Y.; Chicago; Fresno; Greenville, S.C.; Houston; Indianapolis; Los Angeles; Louisville; Memphis; Nashville; New Orleans; Oklahoma City; Pittsburgh; San Antonio; San Diego; San Francisco; Tulsa, Oklahoma and Sacramento, Calif.
