Verizon: 5G coming to more than 30 US cities but doesn’t identify markets

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – Verizon says it will launch next-generation broadband wireless technology in some 30 metro markets this year but won’t identify which ones.

Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile are all in the race to deploy 5G, which offers speeds far in excess of current 4G and older technology.

In fact, AT&T has launched limited trials in the Triangle area.

Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg disclosed the 5G news at an investors’ conference in New York on Thursday.

“Today, we outlined our vision of the future of Verizon. This is our commitment to be on the leading edge of technology to provide customers with the best network experiences in the world, to deliver growth in revenue and profitability, to expand our 5G leadership, to sustain value to shareholders, and to enable services that benefit society and make the world a better place,” Vestberg said.

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Here are some highlights from his remarks as provided by Verizon:

Verizon’s plans to launch its 5G Ultra Wideband Network in more than 30 U.S. cities in 2019. Verizon 5G Mobility will launch in the first half of 2019, and Verizon 5G Home will expand coverage to more markets in the second half of 2019. Revenues from 5G Mobility and 5G Home will begin to scale next year and are expected to contribute more meaningfully to growth in 2021. The company’s Mobile Edge Computing platform, which will enable real-time enterprise applications, is expected to launch in fourth-quarter 2019.
An update about Verizon’s award-winning 4G LTE network, which is the foundation of 5G and already covers 2.6 million square miles. The network coverage includes LTE Advanced features in 1,500 markets across the country, which provide significantly more capacity and faster peak data speeds.
Progress on the Verizon Intelligent Edge Network (iEN), the multipurpose network that serves as the foundation for the company’s network-as-a-service strategy. The iEN is one network that serves all of Verizon’s customers’ needs.
An update about the One Fiber program that is rolling out in more than 60 cities across the U.S., with more than 25,000 Verizon-owned fiber miles expected to be deployed by year-end. One Fiber opens new revenue opportunities while also bringing cost efficiencies.