While rivals started off by mocking AT&T for its ‘misleading’ 5G-E branding, Sprint is taking it a step further and suing the operator.

Sprint claims it commissioned a survey which found 54 percent of consumers believed the 5G-E networks were the same as, or better than, 5G.

A further 43 percent of respondents believed if they purchase an AT&T device with 5G-E today means it will be 5G compatible. Our savvy readers know that’s not the case, but it’s understandable a typical consumer would think so.

Here’s the full complaint:

5G-E stands for ‘5G Evolution’ and is actually a LTE network. AT&T argues because it will play a central part of the final 5G network, that justifies the decision to call it 5G-E.

Due to misconceptions that it’s a 5G network, consumers will not be receiving the performance benefits they’d expect. Sprint argues that it’s damaging 5G’s overall reputation while it’s creating a "legitimate early entry into the 5G network space".

If consumers with the many devices that now display ‘5G-E’ believe they either have – or will receive – true 5G when it’s available, that will damage uptake of AT&T’s rivals.

(Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash)

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