Real 5G networks and devices won’t be available until early 2019, according to most analysts, but that isn’t going to stop wireless companies from jostling to position themselves as the most technologically advanced and up-to-date. Putting a marketing spin on wireless tech is absolutely nothing new, but what AT&T is doing with its “5G Evolution” is just plain bad.
5G Evolution is AT&T’s name for certain LTE-Advanced technology, which means it’s actually part of the 4G framework, not 5G. Everyone pointed this out when AT&T breathlessly announced 5G Evolution this time last year, but now AT&T is doubling down on the fairytale, announcing that it’s launching 5G Evolution in parts of 117 new markets today, bringing the total number of places where 5G Evolution is available to 141.
