RALEIGH – Friday is launch day for next-generation wireless broadband service known as 5G from AT&T in parts of the Raleigh and Charlotte metro areas.

The communications giant made the announcement early Tuesday. AT&T had promised the launch before the end of the year.

AT&T says it will be the first major carrier to launch 5g, which offers the promise of much faster connectivity than current technology known as 4G LTE. Verizon, however, offered a limited service beginning in September.

Verizon has said in 5G trials “we achieved download speeds roughly 30-50 times faster than what is possible with 4G.”

AT&T’s launch is limited, however.

Select businesses and customers will be selected by AT&T for the rollout, according to an AT&T spokesperson.

“As far as customers, initially, we’re communicating directly with businesses in the areas where we are bringing mobile 5G to educate them on the power of 5G and invite them into this initial offer,” the spokesperson said.

“Consumers can also express their interest in signing up for mobile 5G by visiting att.com/5G.

“Potential business customers can visit att.com/5GforBiz.”

AT&T image

AT&T’s Netgear Nighthawk 5G hotspot

“While the initial launch starts small and will be limited, as the 5G ecosystem evolves customers will see enhancements in coverage, speeds and devices,” AT&T points out.

Users will have to connect with Netgear’s Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot.

5G phones are slowly becoming available.

AT&T is locked in fierce competition with Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint for the new 5G market.

As part of its initial rollout, AT&T said it will “deliver select businesses and consumers our first mobile 5G device plus 5G data usage at no cost for at least 90 days.”

Later, AT&T will offer the Nighthawk for $499 plus a 15 gigabits of data for $70 a month.

Other cities in the initial rollout include: Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Fla., Louisville, Ky., Oklahoma City, New Orleans, San Antonio and Waco, Texas.

“This is the first taste of the mobile 5G era,” said Andre Fuetsch, president of AT&T Labs and chief technology officer, in a statement. “Being first, you can expect us to evolve very quickly. It’s early on the 5G journey and we’re ready to learn fast and continually iterate in the months ahead.”

Other cities to be added in the first half of 2019 include: Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Nashville, Orlando, San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose, Calif.

“As the ecosystem evolves, this technology will ultimately change the way we live and conduct business,” said Mo Katibeh, chief marketing officer, AT&T Business, in the announcement “We expect that our initial adopters will be innovative, growing businesses. They’re the starting point for what we think will be a technology revolution like we’ve never seen before.”

Learn more about 5G from AT&T online. 

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