Verizon has launched its 5G Ultra Wideband public wireless network in Chicago and Minneapolis. 
 -  Photo courtesy of Verizon.

Verizon has launched its 5G Ultra Wideband public wireless network in Chicago and Minneapolis.

Photo courtesy of Verizon.

Verizon has turned on its 5G Ultra Wideband wireless network in Chicago and Minneapolis for customers to access who have a 5G-capable device such as the moto Z3 with 5G Moto Mod.

The commercial rollout of the network will continue in more than 30 cities throughout 2019. Users "could see speeds of up to 1 Gbps" and latency less than 30 milliseconds, according to a Verizon release. Most users should expect speeds of 450 Mbps.

While the initial 5G rollout may not impact commercial fleets, the wireless technology has the power to eventually transform freight movement and enable smart cities, streaming emergency reponse dashcams, and other applications.

"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."

In Chicago, coverage is concentrated around the West Loop and South Loop, including landmarks such as Union Station, Willis Tower, the Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, and the Chicago Theatre. The service also exists in the Verizon store on the Magnificent Mile and throughout the Gold Coast, Old Town, and River North.

In Minneapolis, service is concentrated in the downtown area, including Downtown West and Downtown East, as well as around Bank Stadium, which is hosting this year's Final Four.

Verizon launched residential 5G service in October. T-Mobile has also announced plans to build out a 5G network, once it gains regulatory approval for its merger with Sprint.

Originally posted on Automotive Fleet

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