With another generation of cellular technology right around the corner, there is another way to confuse customers in the U.S. In iOS 12.2, Apple joined other Android manufacturers in adding "5G E" for AT&T customers. What is 5G E and why does this matter? Continue reading after a message from our sponsor:
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This is similar to the transition to 4G LTE, where AT&T and T-Mobile adding a 4G logo on the iPhone, despite only being a HSPA+ and not LTE network. AT&T is now labeling LTE-A as "5G E".
What is 5G E?
5G E (5G Evolution) is a term used by AT&T. In the most basic of terms, it is a marketing tactic being employed by AT&T. 5G E simply signals a device that is capable of supporting 4x4 MIMO, 256 QAM, and LAA technologies that are made available through the LTE Advanced specification.
AT&T said,
What is 5G E?
5G E (5G Evolution) is a term used by AT&T. In the most basic of terms, it is a marketing tactic being employed by AT&T. 5G E simply signals a device that is capable of supporting 4x4 MIMO, 256 QAM, and LAA technologies that are made available through the LTE Advanced specification.
AT&T said,
Today, some iPhone and iPad users could start seeing our 5G Evolution indicator on their devices. The indicator simply helps customers know when they are in an area where the 5G Evolution experience may be available.
AT&T's VP of RAN Gordon Mansfield said,
Over time, all of those towers that are 5G E will ultimately have 5G capabilities. A lot of that, the timing at which that flip happens, there's a lot of dynamics - how much capacity do you have, what software capabilities are available, but we very much will. Where we've deployed that infrastructure to support it, a lot of it is software upgradeable to support 5G. But you have to worry about hoy many handsets, how many users you have, you have to continue to serve a base of customers that have current handsets.
To put it simply, 5G E is a marketing attempt to make AT&T seems ahead in the market and better than the competition. Do you think AT&T should do this, or even be allowed to? Comment below with your thoughts.