AT&T has just been awarded an experimental radio license by the FCC to test standards-based 5G in the convention center in Austin, Texas, from the end of July.

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) said in January 2018 that it plans to launch 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) -based mobile 5G in up to 12 markets by the end of the year. The license now indicates that AT&T is ready to start some very public tests for a month on the technology that will become the basis of its next-generation network. (See AT&T Reveals Initial 5G Cities and AT&T Wants a Mobile 5G Test in Burbank.)

AT&T will run "up to 3" 28GHz fixed base stations in the convention center with connections to "up to 6" compatible user devices at up to 100 meters. AT&T promises demonstrations of 4K TV, volumetric video and eSports, as well mobile gaming, over the air, and more. [Ed note: eSports involves watching people online playing multi-player computer games. The kids say it's "fetch."]

AT&T notes in its application:

The operator hasn't specified if it will use the standalone or non-standalone version of the 5G specification yet. AT&T promises more information on the demo when data is available.

Nonetheless, AT&T is still working to a tight deadline to deliver 5G in 12 US markets. With fewer than five months remaining, it has promised to switch the new service on in selected markets.

— Dan Jones, Mobile Editor, Light Reading