AT&T expects to be the first U.S. company to introduce mobile 5G service in a dozen markets by late 2018.
AT&T said its 5G services will be based on industry standards for 5G which the company is one of the key member.
3GPP, the international wireless standards body, completed key elements of 5G new radio (NR) standards last month. With these specifications now available, hardware, chipset and device manufacturers can start development.
In addition to plans for offering mobile 5G to consumers this year, AT&T expects to trial 5G technology with businesses of all sizes across industries to help them to transform business operations and create more engaging experiences for their customers.
As standards continue to develop, 5G will advance and won’t just be about faster speeds, it will also mean much lower latency, which will be enhanced by a new range of applications utilizing edge computing.
The Operator expects future 5G technologies will eventually allow future driverless vehicles to make real-time decisions based on information that goes beyond the individual sensors onboard the vehicle itself. Vehicles will be able to “see” around corners, through other vehicles, and at longer distances. This will enable vehicles to quickly make sense of their environment and help guide safe operations on the road.
Melissa Armoldi, 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. 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.
