Verizon flips the switch on its 5G network in Chicago and Minneapolis
5G will become the next standard in mobile connectivity and with it being capable of achieving much faster internet speeds than LTE, it’s safe to say that many are looking forward to checking it out. The good news is that Verizon has already gotten the ball rolling over in Chicago and Minneapolis.
The carrier has announced that they have flipped the switch on their 5G network in both cities, meaning that in theory, if you own a 5G compatible device and live in either of the two cities, you should be able to take advantage of it. According to Verizon’s CEO Hans Vestberg:
“Verizon customers will be the first in the world to have the power of 5G in their hands. This is the latest in our string of 5G firsts. Verizon launched the first commercial broadband 5G service last October, Verizon 5G Home, and now we’re lighting up our 5G Ultra Wideband network in Chicago and Minneapolis, providing the world’s first commercial 5G mobile service with a 5G-enabled smartphone.”
The carrier had previously confirmed that their 5G network would be going live in April. They had also announced new 5G plans which will, unfortunately, be a bit more expensive than their LTE plans.
The timing of the launch of their 5G network is pretty perfect as it has been rumored that the 5G variant of the Samsung Galaxy S10 could be launching on the network next month. In addition to announcing that their 5G network is now live, the carrier has also announced the availability of the 5G Moto Mod that will introduce 5G capabilities to existing (and compatible) Motorola smartphones.
Source: Verizon