Verizon debuted its 5G Ultra Wideband Network in select areas of Chicago and Minneapolis today, giving customers early access to the nation’s first commercial 5G network for smartphones. In order to take advantage of the commercial 5G network, customers must have Verizon’s exclusive moto z3 smartphone and compatible 5G moto mod attachment.
Customers using the commercial 5G network can expect typical download speeds of 450 Mbps, but may reach speeds as high as almost 1 Gbps, and latency less than 30 milliseconds. When customers leave the 5G Ultra Wideband coverage area, they will be automatically connected to Verizon’s 4G LTE Network.
Although the network is only available in Chicago and Minneapolis, Verizon has announced it will expand the 5G Ultra Wideband Network to more than 30 U.S cities before the year is over.
“Verizon customers will be the first in the world to have the power of 5G in their hands," said Hans Vestberg, Verizon’s chairman and chief executive officer. “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.”