Verizon Promises Fixed 5G Residential Internet In Up To Five U.S. Markets During 2018

Verizon has announced that it will begin its rollout of 5G services to customers in certain U.S. markets next year. However, this isn't lightning fast 5G wireless for your smartphone to connect to while you are out and about. Verizon plans to use this 5G wireless service to provide faster internet access to homes and business using technology it purchased earlier this year.

 

Verizon wants to light up wireless residential broadband service in three to five markets during 2018. The first, and only confirmed market for its 5G launch will be Sacramento, California during the second half of 2018. Verizon promises more details on that launch and to unveil the other markets "at a later date."

The 5G service will use radio signals rather than copper or fiber cables to provide "unprecedented wireless speeds for internet access." The 5G service will according to Verizon allow "customers will benefit from a wide array of services – including broadband, mobile and IoT (Internet of things) -- and the necessary bandwidth and low latency for 3D and virtual reality applications."

Rolling out faster internet using wireless means should be much cheaper than rolling out faster internet via fiber. As Google has learned, installing fiber networks is very expensive. The expense has led Google to scale back its planned offerings in some markets. 

"This is a landmark announcement for customers and investors who have been waiting for the 5G future to become a reality," said Hans Vestberg, Verizon president of Global Networks and Chief Technology Officer. "We appreciate our strong ecosystem partners for their passion and technological support in helping us drive forward with 5G industry standards, for both fixed and mobile applications. The targeted initial launches we are announcing today will provide a strong framework for accelerating 5G's future deployment on the global standards."

One catch for this 5G service from Verizon is that the carrier hasn’t said just how fast the service will be. This 5G tech has been trialed in 11 markets this year and uses millimeter-wave spectrum.