The FCC has announced a plan to spend $9B for expanding 5G and 4G LTE internet across rural America over the next 10 years.

Soon, it’s not just big cities that will enjoy 5G internet, but small towns, too. The FCC announced a plan to spend $9 billion to expand 5G wireless internet across rural towns in America. Moreover, the FCC has earmarked this amount for the next ten years.  

5G Expansion

Gizmodo reports that the $9 billion will add to the $20.4 billion set aside to expand wired broadband in rural towns. The FCC will also spend the latter amount over the next ten years. With this news, the US should expand national 5G networks quickly.  

The FCC announced will set aside up to $9 billion over the next 10 years to fund 5G wireless broadband expansion across rural America. https://t.co/kKKg9AK20z

— Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) October 29, 2020

Expansion Phases

The report also says that the FCC will spend $9 billion in two phases. First, the agency will pay $8 billion to expand 5G and 4G LTE services. These services will go to rural towns that don’t have 4G LTE or 5G mobile broadband. Moreover, the FCC will set aside $680 million for ISPs expanding on Tribal lands.

Next, the FCC will spend the last $1 billion to deploy 5G networks that will help “precision agriculture.” The term means the FCC will buy new technology that will grow crop yields while using fewer resources. Moreover, the FCC will also spend leftover funds from the first phase. 

Fund Requirements

If you’re a 5G carrier that wants FCC funding, you have to meet some requirements. First, you should give at least 35/3 Mbps to rural towns with no 4G LTE or 5G internet. You should also provide service to a certain number of households by three years and six years. 

This move should help people who might have to study and work from home for the next ten years.

The post FCC to Spend $9B to Expand 5G Across Rural America first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

Everything is streaming these days, so it’s natural for video games to follow. In 2019, Google launched its game streaming service, called Stadia. With the tech, you stream your video game as you play. Microsoft has also launched Project xCloud, a rival game streaming platform. To improve Stadia, Google has announced that gamers can now use their mobile 4G or 5G data to stream video games. 

How Do I Use My Mobile 4G Data on Google Stadia?

Engadget reports that you may not see the feature right away because Google is still rolling it out for its users. However, if you check the “Experiments” section of your settings menu, you can enable 4G streaming there. 

Before this update, Stadia users could only use Wi-Fi. They even had to use tethering just to trick Stadia that they were on Wi-Fi, instead of mobile data. On the other hand, Microsoft’s Project xCloud has already supported mobile streaming since its launch in 2019.

Stadia users can now try the service over cellular https://t.co/X5BeaWvXb2 pic.twitter.com/EJ4TkCAUL4

— Engadget (@engadget) July 28, 2020

Will Google Stadia Eat Up All of My Mobile Data?

The tech site 9to5Google reports that using mobile 4G to stream games would eat up 2.7GB per hour. For 720p Wi-Fi streaming, you’d take 4.5GB per hour, while for 1080p, you’d consume 12.6GB per hour. With its current 4G setup, you can only stream games at 360p. 

What’s Next for Google Stadia?

Google has begun improving its cloud gaming app. For example, gamers can now try out a free version of the new tech, and they can even stream games at 4K. 

We all want to play the latest video games. But if you think the latest consoles are too expensive, you could turn to cloud gaming. With its new mobile data support, Google Stadia might be for you. 

The post Google Stadia Can Now Stream Games Over 4G & 5G first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Sam Arnold

With 5G coming soon, and most phones using 4G, AT&T plans to phase out its 3G service by February 2022. If you’re using an older phone, you might want to get the new phone you’ve always wanted. But not right now. However, AT&T sent out emails to its customers about phasing out 3G without telling them about 2022. Naturally, its customers panicked.  

AT&T Moves to 5G

Android Report says that AT&T has said in the email that they will stop supporting 3G phones. In the email, AT&T also said that customers should try upgrading their devices to continue using AT&T. According to the report, AT&T also advised its customers to buy new phones through its online service.

What really sets 5G apart from 4G? With #5G, video lag and buffering are a thing of the past, so you can use augmented reality and play esports like never before. #LifeWithATT5G https://t.co/UT3ySB0vDr pic.twitter.com/2o7r9Ua61S

— AT&T (@ATT) August 23, 2019

Will the Move to 5G Affect My AT&T Phone?

Most phones already use 4G LTE for data and voice calls. But, for example, if you use an iPhone 5, then you can’t use it in 2022 anymore. The AT&T support page has uploaded a list of whitelisted phones. You can look at it here and see if your phone can still last until 2022.  

AT&T Apologizes for the 5G Confusion

AT&T has responded to the situation. In an email to Gizmodo, a spokesperson said it was sorry for confusing customers. They also promised to be more transparent in future statements. 

Gizmodo added that AT&T is planning to boost its 4G/5G network by using some of its 3G spectrum. AT&T is also planning to “consolidate its network” for 4G and 5G.

If you’re thinking of getting a new phone by 2022, remember that your phone must support 4G and AT&T’s “HD Voice.” 

You still have until 2022 to get a new phone if you want. By then, maybe you’ll have decided to get on the 5G wave. 

The post AT&T Confuses Customers With 5G Email, Apologizes first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins