While 4G LTE is the current standard in mobile connectivity, it is expected that we will eventually transition to 5G, and how fast 5G will become available will also depend on how fast carriers roll it out. The good news is that as far as Sprint is concerned, they are aiming for nationwide 5G coverage by mid-2019.This was revealed during the company’s quarterly earnings conference (via Fierce Wireless) in which according to Sprint’s CEO Marcelo Claure, “We’re working with Qualcomm and network and device manufacturers in order to launch the first truly mobile [5G] network in the United States by the first half of 2019. This development will put Sprint at the forefront of technology innovation on par with other leading carriers around the world … We believe our next-gen network will truly differentiate Sprint over the next couple of years.”
Of course Sprint isn’t alone in trying to roll out 5G coverage. The carrier’s competitors such as AT&T are aiming to begin rolling out coverage by late 2018 along with Verizon. T-Mobile also has plans to begin rolling out coverage starting next year with plans for nationwide coverage in 2020.
However as it stands the majority of mobile devices still do not support 5G, but that’s something that major manufacturers are looking to change. Samsung is said to be developing Exynos modems that work with 5G, and Chinese OEM ZTE is said to launch 5G smartphones by 2019. Apple has also been rumored to be working with Intel for 5G modems for future iPhones.