RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – The Triangle, which long has been a battleground between Verizon and AT&T for wireless customers, is not on the list yet for Verizon’s promised next-generation 5G wireless service. But Charlotte is.
Verizon announced Thursday that the Queen City is among 20 cities that will get 5G Ultra Wideband network access this year. Those join the first two, Chicago and Minneapolis, where rollout has begun.
AT&T launched a 5G wireless trial in the Triangle in December, offering select customers and businesses access through mobile routers.
Sprint and T-Mobile also are pursuing 5G, which offers the promise of wireless data at broadband speeds.
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Verizon also is now taking orders for a 5G phone from Samsung – the Galaxy S10 5G.
Previously Verizon had announced it also would offer a 5G phone from Lenovo-owned Motorola.
If 5G is not available the phone will utilize Verizon’s existing 4G LTE service, the communications giant said.
There’s still hope for the Triangle, however.
Verizon has said more than 30 metro areas will get 5G this year, so at least eight others remain to be selected.
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The 20 additional cities beyond Charlotte are: Atlanta, Boston, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Des Moines, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Little Rock, Memphis, Phoenix, Providence, San Diego, Salt Lake City and Washington DC.
“5G Ultra Wideband technology uses new radio technology and device hardware to deliver advanced capabilities to consumers and businesses,” Verizon notes.
“When customers move outside Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband coverage area, the Galaxy S10 5G hands off the signal to Verizon’s 4G LTE network, the nation’s largest 4G LTE network.”
Read the full announcement online.
