On a January earnings call, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson characterized 5G as a viable replacement to fixed broadband, recalling how in the 1990s there was skepticism that wireless could serve as a substitution for fixed line voice. “I have little doubt that in the three to five year time horizon you’ll see substitution” of 5G for fixed line broadband. “This will play itself out that way.”
In February, T-Mobile US Chief Operating Officer Mike Sievert said initial home broadband pilots will use LTE but sees 5G as potentially a disruptive force in the home broadband segment.
