Not to be outdone by Verizon’s big 5G home network launch earlier this week, AT&T is massively expanding its 5G Evolution footprint. Technically, that doesn't guarantee a standards-based mobile 5G signal in any of the 239 markets it’s now available in, but at the same time, Big Red’s 5G broadband internet speeds are also capped at a not-so-impressive 300 Mbps for starters.
In other words, the road to true 5G remains a long and convoluted one for both US wireless market leaders, as well as T-Mobile and Sprint. AT&T maintains its commitment to bring mobile 5G to 12 cities by the end of this year, expanding to at least seven more in “early 2019”, although releasing a phone capable of tapping into this next-gen network may take significantly longer.
In the meantime, AT&T clients should just be happy their coverage and download speeds are (slowly) improving, with 99 new 5G Evolution markets unveiled, including big cities like Phoenix, Washington, D.C., Kansas City, St. Louis, Buffalo, Charlotte, and Milwaukee.
The goal is to further raise the tally from 239 to over 400 markets by the end of 2018, with nationwide coverage planned for the first half of 2019, and 5G Evolution availability to come to more than 200 million people in total.
There are already 13 devices equipped with 5G Evolution support, from the LG V30 and V35 ThinQ to the Moto Z2 Force, Samsung Galaxy S8, and S9 series, delivering peak theoretical wireless speeds of “at least” 400 megabits per second in markets with advanced technologies deployed, like the ones listed above.
Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.
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