AT&T announced that its mmWave 5G+ network is now available to both businesses and individuals in 35 cities. Customers who buy Samsung’s new Galaxy S20+ and Galaxy S20 Ultra smartphones can use mmWave 5G+ network of AT&T.
Earlier, AT&T allowed businesses to use the mmWave network and restricted consumers to its slower 5G on low band network. AT&T aims to compete against Verizon and T-Mobile, which also have mmWave networks available to all customers.
Samsung Galaxy S20 runs on the slower 5G network and doesn’t support mmWave 5G on AT&T, CNBC reported.
AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon are rolling two types of 5G network: faster mmWave 5G that works within a cellular tower, and low-band networks that are widely available but aren’t fast.
AT&T and T-Mobile have both types of networks currently available, while Verizon hasn’t activated its low-band network yet. Sprint has focused on a mid-band 5G network that falls between the two, which is one reason why T-Mobile wants to acquire it.
Despite aggressively expanding 5G coverage, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint are yet to report significant increase in mobile ARPU in the last two quarters.
AT&T customers who buy the Galaxy S20+ and Galaxy S20 Ultra smartphones – that will be powered on mmWave 5G+ branded networks in parts of 35 cities — will be able to see speeds that can be more than 20x faster than standard 4G connection.
When mmWave 5G+ network is not available in several areas, customers will receive data connection on AT&T’s low-band 5G network, which covers 80 million people across 80 markets in the U.S.
AT&T’s earlier said its slow 5G network is live for consumers and businesses in 22 more markets across the U.S. This means AT&T offers access to 5G on its unlimited wireless plans for consumers and businesses in 80 markets. AT&T’s 5G+ network is available in parts of 35 cities only.
