AT&T's First Mobile 5G Service Will Be Available in 12 Cities Starting Friday

AT&T today announced that it has launched its first mobile 5G service in parts of 12 cities across the United States, but 5G connectivity won't be available until Friday, when its 5G device launches.

5G connectivity has rolled out in Atlanta, Georgia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Houston, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; Jacksonville, Florida; Louisville, Kentucky; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; New Orleans, Louisiana; Raleigh, North Carolina; San Antonio, Texas; and Waco, Texas.

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In these areas, customers who sign up as early adopters will be able to use the 5G service with a Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot. AT&T's 5G offering provides 5G connectivity speeds using mmWave spectrum, which is faster than LTE.

AT&T plans to start out with a small, limited launch in dense urban areas where mmWave works best, but promises that customers will see enhancements in "coverage, speeds and devices" over time. AT&T president Andre Fuetsch says that the company is "ready to learn fast and continually iterate" in the coming months.


During the first half of 2019, AT&T plans to expand its mobile 5G coverage to parts of additional cities that include Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Nashville, Orlando, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose.

AT&T's Nighthawk Mobile 5G Hotspot plus 5GB of data will be available to "select businesses and consumers" at no cost for at least 90 days. Starting in the spring, customers will be able to get the device for $499 upfront and 15GB of data for $70 per month on a compatible plan.

The first Android smartphones able to take advantage of 5G networks are expected to come out in 2019, but rumors suggest Apple will not adopt support for 5G networks until at least 2020, giving the new technology time to mature.

Along with AT&T, other carriers are embracing 5G technology. Verizon, for example, launched its 5G home broadband service in October, with mobile 5G service to follow.

Tags: 5G, AT&T

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Top Rated Comments

LawJolla Avatar
89 months ago
$70 for $15gb?? I'm not sure if I should laugh or cry. Or both.
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
yeah Avatar
89 months ago
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/5g-network-cell-towers-raise-health-concerns-for-some-residents/
A homeowner who says “This will cause cancer.” is an assumption and not a basis to not deploy 5G gear across the USA.

I would be more worried about being out in the sun too long than standing near a cell site.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DonKAZ Avatar
89 months ago
$70 for $15gb?? I'm not sure if I should laugh or cry. Or both.
So at the new 5G speed, we can blow through $70 worth of at a in about 5 to 10 minutes.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Yr Blues Avatar
89 months ago
Legitimate concerns about the risks of 5G.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vkd Avatar
89 months ago
Prepare for a sudden increase in brain cancer and psychological problems in these areas.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
happygodavid Avatar
89 months ago
I would rather have full coverage at 4G LTE (or heck, even "regular" 4G) EVERYWHERE than blazingly fast speeds in urban areas. It drives me nuts that US cell companies use this tactic of painting themselves as technological innovators while refusing to advance their current technology to a level of consistent performance, no matter the location. Unfortunately, we consumers have no alternative to the juggernauts that are these corporations, and until a new act comes to town, we're going to continue this exhausting, frustrating cycle.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)