Telstra mobile customers will soon have access to 5G data speeds as the telco announced plans to offer several compatible smartphones by mid-year.

Speaking at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Telstra chief executive Andy Penn confirmed the company has struck exclusive Australian deals with some of the world’s largest smartphone makers to offer their 5G handsets in the first half of 2019.

Telstra CEO Andy Penn says exclusive 5G phones are coming in the next six months. Credit:Ryan Stuart

"After a number of discussions, including here at CES, we have entered into a number of partnerships with some of the world's leading brands to bring their first 5G devices exclusively to Telstra customers on the Telstra network," Mr Penn says.

Mr Penn declined to confirm which vendors are on board, although the list almost certainly does not include Apple considering that — even if the next iPhone does support 5G — it is unlikely to be available until the second half of the year.