AT&T is going ahead with 5G tests this year but it won't initially be able to test all the frequencies it might want to use.

"Fixed wireless" testing will start "firstly at 15GHz, moving to 28GHz," said Tom Keathley, SVP of Wireless Network Architecture & Design at AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) at the Brooklyn 5G Summit Friday.

This is because AT&T doesn't have all the compatible equipment yet to test across the multiple radio bands it wants to, the exec explains. AT&T has so far revealed that it is working with Ericsson AB (Nasdaq: ERIC) and Intel Corp. (Nasdaq: INTC) on 5G test equipment. Ericsson is known to be using 15GHz for at least some of its 5G test-bed. (See AT&T Lights Fire Under 5G, Plans 2016 Trials.)

AT&T's request for a radio test license asks to test 5G in the 3.5GHz, 4GHz, 15GHz and 28GHz bands. It states that Ma Bell wants to be able to do mobile trials within 5 km of the basestation.

I recently asked an AT&T representative if the test license has been granted yet, and it hadn't at that time. I've reached out to AT&T again to double-check the status now. (See AT&T Wants to Start 5G Tests in Austin.)

For the meantime, however, like Verizon Wireless , AT&T appears to be looking at fixed tests to begin with. Of course, these are the earliest -- some might say immature -- field tests of this new mobile tech in the US, so things are likely to change over time.

Verizon said Thursday that it expects to start a fixed wireless 5G pilot, or beta, sometime in 2017. (See Verizon Hits 1-Gig+ in 5G Trials, Eyes Early Applications.)

— Dan Jones, Mobile Editor, Light Reading