AT&T shows government how it can support 5G

Earlier this year, I wrote the article, Local government talks the talk on 5G, but can it walk the walk? In it, I wondered whether governments should modify planning laws, as their easiest (and cheapest) way to promote 5G deployment. It's great to see that AT&T are using that approach, encouraging governments to play ball.

AT&T has said it's planning to launch 5G services this year in 12 areas in the US. It hasn't said where exactly. However, as Martha DeGrasse from RCR Wireless writes in this article, the company has publicly praised three cities that have paid the way for small cell deployments.

In a statement, the company singled out Indianapolis, Minneapolis and Little Rock, AK for “the adoption and implementation of processes and cost structures that facilitate small cell deployment.” These three places have created streamlined permitting processes, created time limits for permit decisions or set down low annual permitting fees.

If you're interested to know more about similar developments, come join us in the group, Commercializing 5G. We'll be watching closely there.