AT&T has reached speeds of up to 14 gigabits a second in lab trials of 5G wireless technology, and plans to test the high-speed network by beaming its DirecTV Now video service to homes in Austin, Texas before midyear, according to Bloomberg.
Through a collaboration with a dozen partners including Intel, Ericsson and Qualcomm, AT&T plans to use experimental airwaves to test fifth-generation or 5G residential and business services as a potentially cheaper method than fiber-optic cable for high-capacity connections, said John Donovan, AT&T’s chief strategy officer. AT&T announced its 5G plans at CES in Las Vegas.
Eager to keep pace with Verizon Communications Inc., AT&T is in a race to develop new 5G services and drum up revenue in the emerging field as its wireless and TV subscription businesses face increased competition. Donovan said he expects AT&T to offer the first commercial so-called point-to-point 5G service in 2018. The first mobile 5G service should be commercially available in 2019, he said.
Croatia’s telecom market has entered a period of substantial infrastructure investment, but the full potential of fiber and 5G still needs to translate into new services. Adrian Ježina sees competition as a major driver of network rollout, while global digital platforms continue to reshape traditional telecom business models. Investment conditions, administrative barriers, energy, labour and EU regulation will all shape the next stage.
Deutsche Telekom has announced the introduction of T-Travel, a specialized eSIM solution tailored for international travelers.
The largest telecommunications operators in Europe have issued a formal call for EU policymakers to significantly revise the region's regulatory framework.
