You may recall that AT&T back in January announced plans to introduce mobile 5G service in 12 cities by the end of 2018. Today, the company revealed that Charlotte and Raleigh, N.C., as well as Oklahoma City, will be on that list, which also includes Dallas, Atlanta, and Waco, Texas.
In a Friday news release, AT&T said it's "deliberately launching with a mix of big and mid-sized cities" since "all Americans should have access to next-gen connectivity to avoid a new digital divide." The company has already been conducting 5G trials in South Bend, Ind.; Waco; Austin; and Kalamazoo, Mich.
"We're on track to launch the first mobile 5G services and deliver the first device to customers this year," Melissa Arnoldi, president of AT&T technology and operations, said in a statement. "5G will be more than just a better network. Especially after our trial learnings with large enterprises, small and medium-sized businesses, and residential locations the past two years, we believe 5G will ultimately create a world of new economic opportunity, greater mobility, and smarter connectivity for individuals, businesses, and society as a whole."
Last year, AT&T unveiled "5G Evolution," which is now live in more than 140 markets, but that was largely marketing lingo and not true 5G. This upcoming effort will be true mobile 5G, which promises to enable new experiences related to virtual reality, self-driving cars, and 4K video.
"We expect future 5G technologies will eventually allow future driverless vehicles to make real-time decisions based on information that goes beyond the individual sensors onboard the vehicle itself," the company has said. "Vehicles will be able to 'see' around corners, through other vehicles, and at longer distances. This will enable vehicles to quickly make sense of their environment and help guide safe operations on the road."
Meanwhile, as carriers work to launch 5G, technologists at