US telecommunications company AT&T has activated its 5G network in seven additional cities, although no commercially available smartphones yet support the new network.
The seven cities added this week are:
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San Francisco, CA
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San Jose, CA
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San Diego, CA
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Austin, TX
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Nashville, TN
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Orlando, FL
AT&T emphasizes that 5G coverage is currently limited to specific areas within these cities rather than providing citywide coverage.
With these additions, AT&T now offers 5G connectivity in 19 cities, representing the largest U.S. deployment to date. However, because compatible smartphones are not yet available to consumers, there are no devices that can commercially access AT&T’s 5G network directly.
To give customers a way to try 5G speeds, AT&T is selling a Netgear 5G mobile hotspot. This device connects to AT&T’s 5G network and shares that connection with smartphones and other devices over WiFi.
The first smartphone expected to support AT&T’s new 5G service is the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G, which the manufacturer has indicated will arrive in the spring. AT&T also anticipates three additional 5G-capable smartphones will launch later this year.
By contrast, Verizon has launched 5G in fewer locations—Chicago, IL and Minneapolis, MN—but already offers a compatible device via the Moto Z3 paired with a 5G “mod” add-on that contains the necessary antenna.
AT&T has faced criticism for its “5G Evolution” (often shown as 5G-E) marketing label. Industry rivals and some observers argue the branding is misleading because it represents an enhanced LTE (LTE-Advanced) service rather than true 5G. Critics worry customers seeing the 5G-E label on their current devices may mistakenly believe they are accessing next-generation 5G network performance, which could damage consumer trust and the overall reputation of 5G.
As carriers continue to roll out 5G infrastructure and device manufacturers release compatible handsets, consumers can expect more widespread and consistent access to true 5G performance. In the meantime, limited-area deployments and interim options like 5G hotspots provide early opportunities to experience faster mobile speeds in select locations.