AT&T Confirms "Nationwide" 5G Plans

AT&T President of Operations Scott Mai, confirmed AT&T nationwide 5G plans, saying that, by this time next year, the carrier will have nationwide coverage for 5G, albeit with a somewhat liberal view of what nationwide means. To AT&T, nationwide 5G coverage means 200 million pops covered, which leaves a lot to be desired when talking nationwide in geographic terms. AT&T’s definition can be achieved by targeting major metros only. The plan includes:

1. Leveraging millimeter wave spectrum for dense urban areas.
2. For broader, more macro coverage, AT&T will use their sub-6 GHz spectrum holdings, with 700 MHz a likely 5G workhorse. This capability will be put on existing AT&T towers, with their FirstNet build helping facilitate the transition to 5G.
3. Lastly, AT&T’s controversial 5Ge, or 5G evolution will fill in the gaps where true 5G is not available. 5Ge is nothing but 4G LTE-A technology that uses carrier aggregation, masquerading as a form of 5G from a marketing perspective. To the end consumer though, the better mobile broadband performance of 4G LTE-A, may make them feel like they’re getting 5G.