Last year, Verizon acquired additional C-band spectrum, which they are finally getting a chance to utilize thanks to agreements with satellite providers. This is starting earlier than the expected date of December 2023.
Known as their 5G Ultra Wideband network, it will offer performance between 60-100 MHz. Download speeds can get up to one gigabit per second. The capacity is also increased, which allows the network to support data-heavy actions from multiple devices at one time.
In the statement from Verizon, 5G Ultra Wideband is compared to home Internet services in that it allows for “downloading huge documents and seamlessly streaming movies in HD audio and video, to playing console quality games and conducting video chats, video conferencing and FaceTime calls with clear sound and video.”
Expansions will begin in larger cities such as Atlanta, Denver, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. Back in January, Verizon announced it covers 100 million people with the nation’s most reliable 5G Ultra Wideband service. As of a couple weeks ago, the company announced it will cover 175 million people by the end of 2022. The company is an entire year ahead of schedule.
Kyle Malady, EVP and President of Global Network and Technology, commented, “This early spectrum clearance is just the latest development that allows us to bring 5G Ultra Wideband to our customers faster. We’ve been able to accelerate deployment because we’re driving more efficiency and coverage from the C-band spectrum, leveraging opportunities like the one we are announcing today, and leveraging our [current] infrastructure.”