Speedy 5G service is coming to smartphones later this year, AT&T says

Edward C. Baig | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption What is 5g? 5G, which promises blistering download speeds, is coming soon. But what is 5g?

Could blistering fast 5G service come to smartphones sooner than expected?

AT&T says it will launch mobile 5G in a dozen U.S. markets late this year, staking the claim that it expects to be the first U.S. carrier to offer such blazing speeds to phones. The carrier has been in a race against Verizon Wireless to deliver this next generation of cell-phone service to U.S. consumers.

The jump to 5G will mean super-fast smartphones, and the transition will also have a significant impact on technology such as virtual reality, self-driving cars and other Internet-connected gadgets.

More: 5G to AR: Here are 7 technologies to watch in 2018

While some folks were indeed expected to experience some form of 5G this year—one key test comes in South Korea next month during the Olympics, with other nascent trials and deployments hatching in the U.S. later in 2018—the initial 5G installments involve what is known as “fixed wireless,” basically broadband alternatives inside the home. 5G for mobile phones was expected to come in 2019 or later. AT&T (T) shares ended 0.9% higher Thursday.

More: 5G, which promises blistering download speeds, is coming soon

AT&T’s announcement suggests the timing could ramp up, at least for some. But the carrier is being cagey when it comes to specific launch details. It hasn’t listed the markets where mobile 5G will be offered, much less the phone or phones the service will work on or the precise speeds consumers can expect, though something in excess of 1GB seems likely. Nor has AT&T disclosed any pricing details.

"With faster speeds and ultra-low latency, 5G will ultimately deliver and enhance experiences like virtual reality, future driverless cars, immersive 4K video and more,” Melissa Arnoldi, the president, of AT&T Technology and Operations, said in a statement.

Latency is industry jargon for the speeds at which the network recognizes that you have requested data, and in turns delivers that data to your device.

AT&T says its mobile 5G service will based on radio standards adopted just last month by 3GPP, an international wireless standards body.

Separate from its mobile 5G launch, the carrier said it will continue its own efforts with fixed 5G solutions, where Verizon has had a jump. For its part, Verizon announced plans late last year to offer commercial 5G service in Sacramento and two to five other U.S. markets in 2018. T-Mobile is building out its own framework for 5G, though that’s not expected before 2019.

In a statement provided to USA TODAY, Verizon Chief Technology Architect, Ed Chan said, "We are encouraged to hear that other wireless providers are beginning to adopt our strategy toward unleashing the full potential of 5G mobile technology." But Chan went on to say that Verizon has a "tremendous lead in executing on our 5G strategy."

For his part, T-Mobile Chief Technology Officer Neville Ray expressed skepticism on Twitter: "Even with today’s news, still waiting on @ATT @Verizon to commit to a real 5G experience for mobile consumers," Ray tweeted. "Meanwhile @TMobile’s already started building a real, mobile NATIONWIDE 5G network."

Even with today’s news, still waiting on @ATT @Verizon to commit to a real 5G experience for mobile consumers. Meanwhile @TMobile’s already started building a real, mobile NATIONWIDE 5G network. — Neville (@NevilleRay) January 4, 2018

Email: ebaig@usatoday.com; Follow USA TODAY Personal Tech Columnist @edbaig on Twitter