AT&T hopes to begin using “5G”-based millimeter wave spectrum technology to wirelessly deliver its “DIRECTV Now” (Internet TV) service to homes.   The company has achieved speeds of 14 gigabits per second in lab tests with several partners that include Intel, Ericsson and Qualcomm.  AT&T’s goal is to see how millimeter wave “last mile” technology handles high volume video traffic.

AT&T’s John Donovan says the mega carrier plans to offer commercial point-to-point “5G” next year (2018), which is two years before ITU-R completes the first round of true 5G standards.  Nonetheless, AT&T says its mobile 5G service should be commercially available in 2019, according to Mr. Donovan who has led AT&T’s network upgrades over the past nine years from 2G to 3G to 4G.   He now says 5G will have a bigger impact by enabling things like driverless cars, live maps and virtual reality.

“Five G is a bigger thing than I have ever been involved in my career because it opens up whole new worlds,” he said.

To read more:

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/att-details-5g-evolution-300385196.html

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-04/at-t-to-test-5g-wireless-for-delivery-of-directv-now-to-homes

https://www.engadget.com/2017/01/04/atandt-to-conduct-5g-streaming-tests-with-directv-now/