Speed test shows AT&T’s 5G network can be absurdly fast
Despite 2019 being the year of 5G, things haven’t gotten off to a great start. AT&T has launched its 5G+ service in a handful of markets towards the end of December, but initial speed tests showed that the new network was only marginally faster than the company’s existing 4G network. Marking matters worse for AT&T, the company has decided to switch the 4G network icon on newer Android and iOS smartphones to 5Ge when those devices will never be able to connect to 5G networks.
But there is a bit of good news to share on AT&T’s 5G efforts. The company has just shared results of a speed test from its new 5G network with results that would make gigabit fiber subscribers jealous. The company is currently testing a new software upgrade for the network has successfully enabled download speeds reaching 1,537.9 Mbps. The image shared by AT&T doesn’t show what upload speeds were achieved, but we’d be more than happy if the upload number was a quarter of that.
This morning, we successfully tested a new software update on our live commercial 5G+ network which resulted in speeds over 1.5 Gbps.* This test was conducted in the field using a mobile form factor test device.
AT&T customers currently using the company’s NETGEAR Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot device won’t be able to take advantage of these speeds quite yes as AT&T will need to roll out a software update to its current 5G markets first. The company hasn’t said how long that will take, but we’re hoping that the wait isn’t too long.
If AT&T and other service providers can deliver 1.5 Gbps download speeds over the air, what price would you be willing to pay for unlimited 5G service for your home?
Source: AT&T