Verizon vs. AT&T vs. Sprint: Guess who’s winning 5G now

In the pitched battle over 5G in the US, AT&T has stormed into the fray with the fastest peak download speeds we’ve seen anywhere — 1.8 gigabytes of data per second. That’s insanely fast. While ordinary buyers can’t actually use AT&T’s 5G on phones until 2020 (it’s for business customers only for now), the fact that AT&T’s network blasted past Verizon’s already crazy speeds in Chicago and more than tripled Sprint’s highest speeds in Dallas underscores how hungry carriers are to win early 5G victories. The carrier that can claim the fastest download speeds, widest coverage area and most consistent service earns more than just bragging rights. Carriers hope to lure customers on the strength of their 5G reputations. It’s still early days with our 5G tests in the US and around the globe, but comparing our results from Speedtest.net and real-world downloads already reveals an important lesson. Speed isn’t everything. The consistency of those speeds and the breadth of coverage are just as important as high highs and lightning-fast downloads. The stakes are real. 5G is the most important thing to happen to phones in a decade. This is the new network technology that will eventually replace today’s 4G LTE networks, promising anywhere from 2x to 10x and one day 100x faster download speeds. With 5G, you’ll be able to download hours of video in seconds, launch crystal clear, lag-free video calls and play graphics-heavy games in real time. Samsung, LG, Motorola: How soon can we expect 5G phones? 13 Photos While…