AT&T on Monday announced its largest 5G fixed wireless trial to date at a retail center in Waco, Texas.
The telecom giant will test its 5G millimeter wave system at the Silos. The downtown shopping and restaurant complex is operated by Magnolia, the company founded by cable home renovation stars Chip and Joanna Gaines.
AT&T plans to test millimeter wave spectrum as well as 5G radio and antenna prototypes. Fixed wireless service will be distributed through WiFi access points across the property, while the company’s FlexWare platform will serve as the router for the 5G network.
The Silos sees some 5,000 visitors per day, which, along with employees and vendors using wireless devices, will make the trial AT&T’s largest in terms of mobile traffic.
AT&T said that a planned expansion of the trial in Waco could add small businesses, residential customers, churches and educational institutions.
“The trial with Magnolia helps drive a path for businesses of all sizes to have access to massive capacity via 5G to serve their employees and their customers in ways we couldn’t have even dreamed of just a few years ago,” Mo Katibeh, AT&T Business’ chief marketing officer, said in a statement.