Engineering team completes our first Sub-6 data transfer connection in the field
After making our first data transfer over Sub-6GHz spectrum in the field this week, AT&T is a step closer to introducing 5G over sub-6 spectrum, with plans to offer nationwide 5G in the first half of 2020. This milestone connection was made in Plano, Texas using a Qualcomm Technologies smartphone form factor test device powered by a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 5G modem, RF transceiver and RF Front-End (RFFE) solution. Moving this connectivity from the Lab to the field marks significant progress toward our plans to offer 5G to customers across the country. We also remain on track to offer our first smartphone capable of accessing 5G over low-band spectrum as early as this year.
Beyond the progress we’re making on our path to nationwide 5G, we’ve already deployed 5G over millimeter wave (which we call 5G+) in parts of 20 cities across the U.S., with plans to expand to at least 30 in the coming months. The millimeter wave spectrum used with 5G+ enables ultra-high speeds and capacity, which makes it well-suited for providing focused coverage in iconic and high-traffic areas. Indeed, we’ve seen peak speeds with 5G+ of over 2Gbps. By contrast, 5G sub-6 speeds won’t be in that range, but we do expect it to offer a good balance of impressive speeds over broader distances.
We believe deploying 5G in both mmWave and sub-6 bands will provide the best mix of speeds, latency and coverage areas that are needed to fuel the exciting 5G experiences we’re exploring today with business customers and partners in our Labs and Foundries. And although there are many more milestones to reach on the road ahead, this one gets us closer to making those experiences a reality for both businesses and consumers.
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