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Today's BG Podcast features a conversation with Bob Digneo, Assistant Vice President - External and Regulatory Affairs, AT&T, on the 5G wireless standard and its potential impact on cities and consumers.

What is 5G?

5G, which stands for "fifth generation," is an upcoming standard for mobile telecommunications service that promises to be significantly faster than today's 4G technology.

AT&T recently opened what it calls a 5G testing lab in North Austin. The lab, one of several AT&T has throughout the country, is a testing ground for 5G signal transmitters and how they handle certain conditions

Why you should care?

It will allow users to browse the internet, upload or download videos, and use data-intensive apps or features such as virtual reality much more quickly and smoothly than is possible now.

What it means for cities?

"Almost any function that a city performs has the potential of being enhanced and being smarter and better, and more efficient with a better more robust wireless network.” - Bob Digneo

Reference links

AT&T and Samsung Test 5G Connected “Innovation Zone” (9/2018)

Several More Cities Make AT&T 5G Short List (GovTech, 9/2018)

AT&T Names 99 New 5G Evolution Markets (AT&T, 10/2018)

Austin has been slow to implement 5G rollout, city official says (Austin American-Statesman, 10/2018)

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