Telecommunications providers have been telling us for a while now that 5G networks would be coming soon to the U.S. Many of them said we would start to see these new ultra-fast networks roll out toward the end of this year.
So far, they’ve been pretty accurate. AV integrators will want to make sure that they’re planning for 5G in both their own offices and operations and their contracted work.
Here’s a rundown on what network carriers have launched 5G networks and where, as well as which telecoms providers plan to do so in 2020.
Verizon
On Monday, Verizon said its network went live in parts of Los Angeles, becoming the company’s 19th 5G city. The company said it has targeted 30 cities by the end of 2019, so the clock is ticking.
In Los Angeles, the company’s Ultra Wideband service is available in parts of Downtown, Chinatown, Del Rey, and Venice around landmarks such as: Grand Park, Los Angeles Convention Center, Union Station, LA Live, Staples Center, and Venice Beach Boardwalk.
In addition to Los Angeles, the company’s service is available in Boston, Houston, Sioux Falls, Dallas, Omaha, Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver, Providence, St. Paul, Atlanta, Detroit, Indianapolis, Washington, D.C., Phoenix, Boise, Panama City and New York City.
AT&T
Last week, AT&T launched its 5G network in 10 cities to start: Birmingham, Ala., Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Providence, R.I., Rochester, N.Y., San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose, Calif.
Both consumers and businesses will have access to the network.
In early 2020, the network is expected to come to Boston, Bridgeport, Conn., Buffalo, N.Y., Las Vegas, Louisville, Ky., New York City.
Nationwide coverage is expected to come in the first half of 2020, the company said.
T-Mobile
Earlier this month, T-Mobile launched its nationwide 5G network, which it claims is the first to cover the entire U.S. across 5,000 cities and more than 200 million people.
The company said it had even bigger aspirations if its proposed $26 billion merger with Sprint closes.
T-Mobile said it’s 5G service was available on two new 5G ready phones: the One Plus 7T Pro 5G McLaren and the Samsung Galaxy Note10+ 5G.
Sprint
Sprint’s True Mobile 5G network is available in areas of nine cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New York City, Phoenix and Washington, D.C.
According to the company, it’s using mid-band 2.5 GHz spectrum by deploying Massive MIMO radios on existing cell sites.
Check out the company’s website for a list of 5G-ready devices.
