Verizon claims it is ready to test 5G. AT&T retorts that 5G is still in research/development. Therefore any attempts to deploy before a standard is created is counterproductive. Who is taking the safest position? So I found an article that states that 5G is still in research stage. Standards and protocols are still being developed. While I wish Verizon well, they may later regret the "bleeding edge" of technology later.
Here is another article from CNET on the topic: http://www.cnet.com/news/at-t-mobility-ceo-lets-not-get-too-excited-about-5g-yet/ Too much hype in the world...every company wants your attention.
<cynic_hat_on> Actually, they could care less about your attention, all they want is your money. The less attention you pay while paying (sic), the better </cynic_hat_off>
At 1st I thought it was ATT trying to discredit Verizon's claims but after reading about the 5G technology, it really does seem that even if Verizon does deploy speeds akin to 5G, they may later regret their financial commitment and infrastructure decision if the final industry specs don't match what they have deployed. But even as an ATT subscriber, I wish Verizon "happy trails" in their endeavor. It can only force other carriers to want to improve.
This talk about 5G is new to me as I haven't really paid much attention to wireless news in the past few months. I do think it will be nice when it finally rolls out. However, I don't see it coming out anytime soon, though.
I thought testing is part of R&D... its not like it is ready to launch or anything Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
@QLR: I think the main contention here is that, per the report, Verizon plans on actual production deployment in 2017, which is ahead of the industry expectations (and government directives?) of 2020. (And just a bit of personal reality check here: When I am using 4G, I am VERY pleased with the speeds I'm getting. I've used my phone as a hotspot for my laptop and gotten very impressive speeds. So while 5G will be a nice thing to look forward to, 4G isn't anything to "cough" at.)
@speedy1979: Yup, that must have cost them a "pretty penny." I wonder if anyone was scapegoated and lost their job over that one. It seems all the carriers are concerned about hemorrhaging customers ("churn"). As long as there is capitalism and competitive industry in this country, that is just something they'll need to learn to accept. Still, as a consumer I love to see this because the benefits are better rates for us. (I remember several years back when smartphones were entering the market, the carriers saw big dollar signs in their eyes for the wealth "data" would bring them. Now, its a packaged deal just like everything else (voice, text, data).
You have to give T-Mobile credit for making capitalism and competition work the way it is suppose to work. Before T-Mobile started the rate war, All the carriers were playing follow the leader. If they can get $70, we should be able to get $80. If they can get $80, we should be able to get $90.... and so on. There was no competition, rather follow the leader.
