AT&T said network function virtualization (NFV), software-defined networking (SDN) and millimeter waves will be among the technologies harnessed to make 5G a reality.
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AT&T plans to join forces with Ericsson and Intel to push out 5G solutions as early as the second quarter of 2016. AT&T says that 5G will deliver speeds between 10 and 100 times faster than the average 4G LTE speeds that we’re getting today. It is the second carrier to officially announce its 5G-related plans, right next to Verizon.
“These technologies will be immersive, pervasive and responsive to customers”, John Donovan, chief strategy officer and Group President, AT&T Technology and Operations.
That dream is one step closer to reality after British researchers simulated download speeds 50,000 times faster than “superfast” 24 megabits per second (Mbps) broadband, breaking a world record. Further, 5G technology is created to be more power efficient than any other standard wireless networks available these days. Latency will also drop to as little as 1 to 5 milliseconds, AT&T said.
However, video is not the only data-hog that AT&T is eyeing.
Engadget: The carrier plans to test its new network in Austin, Texas by the end of the year. According to AT&T, 5G technology standards aren’t expected until 2018. At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona kicking off in 10 days time, 5G is expected to be a major topic though most believe that it will be 2020 before our smartphones will be able to pick up and use a 5G signal. Moreover, superfast 5G mobile networks will be of utmost necessity in managing the exponential growth of Internet-connected devices, popularly known as Internet of Things (IoT). Until then, you’ll have to settle for welcome news that AT&T has revealed their roadmap for 5G, and that field trials are due to start before the year’s end. Both AT&T, and Verizon before it, mention in their press releases about the “5G” rollout that it is mainly done because of rising demand for video streaming, which now occupies the vast majority of total data consumption on their networks.
“With all the hype around the next G, we are in danger that 5G becomes another meaningless marketing word”, says Roger Entner, an analyst at Recon Analytics, adding that “what 5G involves is a radical rebuilding of how the network provider delivers the bits and bytes”.
First and foremost is that there’s no worldwide standard for 5G yet.
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“The introduction of a 5G network would definitely accelerate the mass adoption of virtual reality because it gets content to people faster”, he told TechNewsWorld. About AT&TAT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) helps millions around the globe connect with leading entertainment, mobile, high speed Internet and voice services.
