The very first commercial 5G network on the globe has gone live. Verizon’s 5G Home network, providing 5G broadband internet service, has officially been launched for consumers in parts of Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles and Sacramento. Installations of 5G Home began the morning of October 2, 2018 for ‘First on 5G’ customers in the aforementioned cities, with a resident of Houston, Clayton Harris, becoming the first 5G customer in the world.
Built on the Verizon-led open 5G TF network standard, Verizon 5G Home is said to provide the next generation of home broadband internet service that provides super-fast Wi-Fi.
“The world’s first commercial 5G service is here…
We’ve formed incredible partnerships with many of the world’s leading technology companies, the international technical standards bodies, public officials, developers and our own customers to drive the 5G ecosystem forward, faster than most had predicted. And now, actual customers. It’s been an incredible journey…and we’re just at the starting line.”
Ronan Dunne, president, Verizon Wireless.
Verizon says it was able to launch 5G in these first four cities because of forward-looking state policy and local leaders who embraced innovation and developed a strategic vision for how 5G could be a platform to attract new investment, businesses and next generation services for residents.
‘First on 5G’ Members – early adopters of 5G technology – get exclusive perks including 5G Home service free for the first three months (after that introductory period, Verizon Wireless customers with a qualifying smartphone plan will pay $50 per month for the service, while non-Verizon Wireless customers will pay $70 per month), free white glove installation and equipment, and early access to new services, including 5G mobility. 5G Home customers are said to also receive YouTube TV free for the first three months and a free Apple TV 4K or Google Chromecast Ultra device at installation.
Bringing 5G service to consumers as quickly as possible, Verizon’s’ 5G Home service is built on the Verizon-led open 5G TF network standard; where the company say they are able to deliver results and a 5G network faster than waiting for the formal 3GPP 5G NR standard to be incorporated into network equipment, devices, chipsets and software.
Verizon say that when new network equipment is available and introduced, that they’ll expand their 5G broadband internet coverage area quickly in order to bring 5G to additional cities.
