AT&T Lays Out 5G Game Plan
Telecom giant identifies three pillars of 5G
AT&T is banking on the rise of 5G as the crux of speedy networking and communications for U.S. businesses. The company has set out its strategy for delivering the new-and-improved mobile communication standard to customers.
The Lowdown: The telecommunications company announced today that mobile 5G, fixed wireless, and edge computing will be its current focal points – the three service pillars of its 5G strategy.
The Details: Sources at AT&T said the company is building its networks to “allow fiber-based connectivity and LTE to work efficiently in parallel with 5G solutions, maximizing the impact of business transformation.” In keeping with that theme, AT&T plans to deploy a standards-based mobile 5G network nationwide in 2020. That network will provide seamless integration among Wi-Fi, LTE, and 5G.
AT&T also has confirmed plans to roll out two new 5G Samsung smartphones this year.
As for fixed wireless, the company now offers AT&T Wireless Broadband, with flexible data options, and multiple speed tiers (up to 50Mbps) will be unveiled in the coming weeks. The solution builds on AT&T’s fiber distribution and lays the groundwork for customers’ future upgrades to AT&T 5G.
Meanwhile, AT&T’s Multi-Access Edge Compute (MEC) solution uses the company’s software-defined network to give businesses faster access to data processing and flexibility in managing cellular traffic through on-prem hardware and software.
Background: AT&T continues to rely more heavily on channel partners to evangelize and deliver its solutions to businesses.
In November 2018, AT&T launched its inaugural channel sales get-together, Fusion by AT&T Partner Solutions, in Dallas. It was the first time the company’s Partner Exchange and Alliance Channel partners hosted their annual events together.
There, AT&T announced several enhancements to its newly combined channel program, including a new Alliance Channel portal with improved access to AT&T resources, a Marketing as a Service program, additional API options, and new products, such as AlienVault Unified Security Management and AT&T Mobile Forms for keeping track of customer paperwork.
The Buzz: “The 5G services we’re rolling out and combining with our advanced network capabilities will help businesses fundamentally change for the better,” said Mo Katibeh, CMO for AT&T Business. “It will open up opportunities to increase revenue, reduce operational costs, and ultimately create amazing new experiences for employees and customers. Whether it’s a local start-up, a growing regional company, or national enterprise, these three pillars are going to be groundbreaking.”
“5G is the gateway to an entirely new world for businesses, but it needs multiple technologies coming together to achieve its true potential,” said Jason Leigh, senior research analyst at IDC. “Leveraging the low latency, increased connection density and high-bandwidth power of 5G will allow businesses to deploy integrated solutions that accelerate their own digital transformation, and drive productivity improvements, efficiency gains and enhance customer satisfaction faster than ever before.”
