AT&T is launching their 5G cellular network in 10 U.S. cities on Friday. What’s that you say? You thought they had already launched their “5G E” network earlier this year? Nah, that was just a mixture of enhanced LTE and marketing, they did the same thing with 4G a few years back.
AT&T continues to use the misleading “5G E” on users’ phones, despite a lawsuit, and a full page ad posted to draw attention to the carrier’s sleight of cellular hand. However, today’s launch is of the real thing, actual 5G.
The company announced the launch this morning:
AT&T 5G is now live for consumers in 10 markets. Millions of consumers and businesses across Birmingham, Ala., Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Providence, R.I., Rochester, N.Y., San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose, Calif. market areas can now access AT&T’s 5G network
The company also revealed the next cities in line to get the faster signal, promising “nationwide coverage” by the middle of 2020.
AT&T 5G availability will continue to rapidly expand – including service in Boston, Bridgeport, Conn., Buffalo, N.Y., Las Vegas, Louisville, Ky., New York City, and other markets soon – as we work toward offering nationwide coverage in the first half of 2020.
It should be noted that there is more than one type of 5G, and what AT&T is launching today is low-band 5G, which provides decent range, but is only slightly faster than LTE. The network is similar to the one launched by T-Mobile earlier this month. Millimeter wave 5G – which offers much faster speeds but requires a denser network of cell towers – will make an appearance down the line.
Currently, the only device sold by AT&T that can connect to its 5G network is the Samsung Galaxy Note10+ 5G. Apple’s 2020 iPhone lineup is expected to be 5G capable.
5G is only available on plans costing at $75 or more per month.