Verizon to Start 5G Mobile Service in Chicago and Minneapolis
Verizon Communications said on Wednesday its customers in Chicago and Minneapolis would be able to use its fifth generation wireless network from April 11 by paying $10 per month with any of its unlimited mobile plans.
The company said its customers will need a Motorola Z3 mobile and a device called 5G moto mod to connect to the 5G network.
The company will offer the device for $50 initially and its customers would not have to pay for 5G use for the first three months.
Verizon launched its first commercial 5G service in October when its 5G Home offering went live in Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles and Sacramento.
The Midwestern metropolises are part of a Verizon roster that’s meant to include 30 markets by year-end.
Last month, Sprint appeared to lead the pack by announcing it would start the first 5G service in May. The company said four initial cities -- Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and Kansas City -- would have the service, followed by Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix and Washington. Sprint said it would have 5G phones from LG and Samsung Electronics available for the launch.
AT&T has a version of 5G service available to hotspot devices in parts of 12 cities today with seven more markets coming by midyear. Verizon started a 5G home broadband and TV service in parts of four cities last year. T-Mobile US Inc. has also promised mobile 5G service to start in 30 cities this year, with more comprehensive coverage coming next year.