AT&T just unveiled three more cities that will get its 5G technology this year as the telecommunications giant readies the crucial next-generation network.

The company is adding Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina, and Oklahoma City to the buildout for mobile 5G. The cities join Dallas, Waco and Atlanta as part of a dozen metros set to be revealed this year, AT&T (NYSE: T) said Friday.

"We believe 5G will ultimately create a world of new economic opportunity, greater mobility, and smarter connectivity for individuals, businesses and society as a whole," Melissa Arnoldi, president of AT&T Technology & Operations, said in a prepared statement.

AT&T is investing in cutting-edge networks that will bring much faster speeds to mobile phones as it battles for users with rival Verizon, along with T-Mobile and Sprint, which are hoping to pair up to better tackle 5G. While the company has been getting more attention for its merger with Time Warner, the network is a key part of its future growth and reach.

The company first announced in February its plan to roll out 5G to 12 cities, and identified the first three places. Advancements in 5G will mean much lower latency, which refers to how long it takes for the network to recognize you’ve requested a chunk of data before sending you that data. For example, it’s the brief delay between the moment you press play on a streaming video app and the moment the video shows up on your screen.

In the announcement Friday, AT&T said it was deliberately seeking a mix of big and mid-sized cities for the rollout.

“Our residents and our businesses always desire further private sector investment in technology infrastructure,” Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt said. “This 5G deployment in OKC will help our residents and businesses take advantage of future technologies and opportunities.”

By: DocMemory
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