Another reason "5G" is meaningless (in the US at least): advertising

["Dave Farber" <farber () gmail com>]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: DV Henkel-Wallace <gumby () henkel-wallace org>
> Date: December 22, 2018 at 6:45:12 AM GMT+9
> To: David Farber <dave () farber net>
> Subject: Another reason "5G" is meaningless (in the US at least): advertising
>
> More nonsense from the carriers: get the phones to display 5G regardless of what technology is deployed.  It's worked 
> before, so why not?  Instead of "fake news" we have "fake tech"
> https://www.fiercewireless.com/5g/at-t-to-begin-upgrading-existing-lte-phones-to-5g-e
> AT&T to begin upgrading existing LTE phones to ‘5G E’
> Dec 21, 2018 11:34am
>
> AT&T confirmed to FierceWireless that it will soon begin changing the “LTE” indicator on some of its current Android 
> phones to “5G E” in markets where the company now offers 4x4 MIMO, 256 QAM and other advanced LTE network 
> technologies.
>
> “If they have one of the latest Android devices and it connects to a tower that’s enabled with 5G Evolution, they’ll 
> soon see a “5G E” indicator pop up on their screen,” an AT&T spokesperson wrote in response to questions from 
> FierceWireless. “Initially we’ll roll this out on a handful of devices, with more devices showing the indicator in 
> spring 2019.”
>
> The operator didn’t immediately respond to questions about the total number of devices that would be affected by the 
> change. However, potentially millions of existing LTE smartphone owners could eventually see their AT&T network 
> status icon change from “LTE” to “5G E.” AT&T said its “5G Evolution” service will be commercially available in more 
> than 400 markets by the end of this year.
>
> AT&T last year introduced the “5G Evolution” marketing label to cover markets where it offers advanced LTE network 
> technologies like carrier aggregation, 4x4 MIMO, LAA and 256 QAM. Such technologies can dramatically improve the 
> speeds available through LTE, and AT&T has argued that such technologies pave the way for eventual 5G services, 
> though critics have argued that AT&T’s “5G Evolution” marketing moves only serve to sow confusion among consumers.
>
> AT&T’s decision to change its “LTE” indicator to “5G E” has precedence. Sprint branded its WiMAX network as a 4G 
> offering, while T-Mobile (and then later AT&T) both branded HSPA+ as 4G before the arrival of LTE. Those moves were 
> notable considering the wireless industry widely regards LTE as the official 4G technology.
>
> AT&T’s “5G E” label will sit next to its “5G+” label, which the operator has applied to its mobile 5G service 
> launching today in 12 cities. AT&T’s “5G+” label applies to transmissions in the operator’s millimeter-wave spectrum. 
> (AT&T’s initial mobile 5G launch will transmit signals in its 39 GHz licensed spectrum band across 100 MHz of 
> spectrum and 2x2 MIMO antennas.)
>
> For its part, Verizon has branded its 5G service as “5G Ultra Wideband.”



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