AT&T on Tuesday announced it has launched mobile 5G service in another seven markets, bringing the total to 19 cities.
Although it was the first US carrier to introduce 5G wireless service in late 2018, AT&T has yet to carry a phone with support. It does have the NETGEAR Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot you can pick up for $500 but that’s it for now. And, from what we gather, it’s not as if AT&T is anxious to sell you one.
We spent the early part of this year accelerating and advancing our 5G network with early adopters by our side. And now it’s time to offer this experience to more businesses and consumers in another 7 cities.
Among the new markets with 5G are Austin, Los Angeles, Nashville, Orlando, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose.
AT&T currently employs millimeter wave for its 5G network which means it trades high download speeds for distance. With that in mind, do not expect city-wide, uninterrupted 5G coverage. The lower frequency, “sub-6” spectrum will arrive in 2020 bringing about a much wider footprint.
The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G is anticipated at AT&T “later this year” with two other phones coming in 2019. The Samsung phone will support both the mmWave and sub-6 spectrum.