The next generation of wireless data speeds are on their way and we will all have to get used to referring to 5G. Before that happens though the standards for just what constitutes 5G have to be established. AT&T decided to get a jump on things with the announcement today that they are launching their own 5G Evolution service in Austin, Texas and will light up 20 more metro areas before the end of 2017.
A key point to be aware of regarding AT&T's 5G Evolution is that it is the carrier's own proprietary take on what it thinks 5G service will be like, so it can best be described as a pseudo-5G service. When the official standards are finally released, AT&T is hoping its own implementation will be consistent with those standards, but there is no guarantee. Until then though, users who have access to the new 5G Evolution service can expect speeds at least double what they currently get on 4G coverage.
As far as who can access the 5G Evolution network in Austin, that is limited even further to owners of only two devices – the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+. AT&T is clearly hoping to both capitalize on and drive sales of the latest flagship from Samsung. However, other devices should add this capability and be added to the list of devices.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLufqt3F030
AT&T is also hoping to generate some excitement for its network by giving “customers a taste of the future” according to David Christopher, AT&T Entertainment Group's chief marketing officer.
The next metro area slated to get the new 5G Evolution service will be Indianapolis sometime this summer. Other areas that will get the service before the end of 2017 include Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Nashville and San Francisco.
source: AT&T
