AT&T has kicked off its largest 5G fixed-wireless trial – in terms of mobile traffic – to date in Waco, Texas. The millimetre wave (mmWave) system will distribute connections throughout Magnolia Market (part of the Silos complex) via Wi-Fi access points. Further, the telco will use its network function virtualisation (NFV) platform, AT&T FlexWareSM, as the router for the 5G network. The trial is expected to enable faster wireless speeds not just for visitors, but for employees and vendors who use mobile point of sale devices and wireless devices to manage their back office operations.
Marachel Knight, AT&T’s Senior VP for Technology Planning and Engineering, commented: ‘Taking our 5G tests out of the lab and into real, high-traffic environments like the Silos will bring a fantastic customer experience while helping us learn even more about building a 5G network of the future for both consumers and businesses.’