Category: 5G

How to Avoid the Impact of the AT&T 3G Sunset on Your Peplink, Sierra Wireless and Option CloudGate Devices

AT&T shuts down their 3G network today. Even if you are not using a 3G device, you may still be impacted. See what steps you can take to avoid downtime.

AT&T’s 3G shutdown is upon us. Whether you’re ready or not, your devices may be affected and require updating to continue working. But what if you’re not even using 3G? You may be surprised, but as a part of the 3G sunset process, AT&T has updated their 5G and 4G networks’ custom Access Point Name (APN) behavior. Without the proper APN, your cellular device will never establish a connection to the network. 

AT&T announced that their 3G network sunset process will commence today, February 22, 2022 and will impact many LTE devices including routers.

“AT&T will decommission our 3G (UMTS and HSPA) networks on February 22, 2022. While this action will cause all 3G only devices to stop operating, it will also impact some LTE capable devices,” the cellular carrier said in their bulletin. 

This shutdown has impacted a number of devices we carry at the 5Gstore. This includes devices from Peplink, Sierra Wireless, and Option CloudGate. We have included important details from each of these manufacturers to outline their response to the shutdown and what steps you need to take to make sure you have working devices.

Almost all of Peplink’s devices are already compliant. Customers using a custom APN should update to one of the following firmware to maintain compatibility. 

No action is required for customers not using a custom APN.

Not sure how to upgrade your firmware? Check out this post for instructions.

Sierra Wireless Devices

Soon after February 22, 2022, without a firmware upgrade, select AirLink RV55/LX40/LX60 LTE routers will cease to connect to the AT&T network due to the AT&T network changes.

Select AirLink RV55/LX40/LX60 LTE routers will require an ALEOS update prior to February 22, 2022 or these routers will go off air and will require a site visit to restore connectivity.

AirLink routers that are affected include:

  • RV55 North America (WP7610); SKUs: 1104335 and 1104334 Wi-Fi
  • LX40 North America GENERIC (WP7603); SKUs: 1104178 and 1104179 Wi-Fi
  • LX40 North America (WP7610); SKUs: 1104579 and 1104573 Wi-Fi
  • LX60 North America GENERIC (WP7603); SKUs: 1103826 and 1103827 Wi-Fi
  • LX60 North America (WP7610); SKUs: 1104580, 1104572 Wi-Fi/GNSS, and 1104493 Telemetry

For more details about the Sierra Wireless 3G sunset plan, see details on this PDF.  

Need instructions on how to update your device firmware, refer to the Software User Guide, available at Sierra Wireless Source.

Option CloudGate Devices

Please review the below PCN from Option and take all necessary steps as they have outlined before February 22nd, 2022 to avoid any device functionality issues. 

VIEW THE PCN

Affected CloudGate SKUs:

  • CloudGate LTE WW Rev4 (CG0124)
  • CloudGate mini (CG0125)
  • CloudGate micro (CM0125)

To update your CloudGate device’s firmware, if needed, you may do so from the CloudGate Universe website. See under Home -> Library -> Firmware. Don’t see what you’re looking for, or do you need additional support? Please reach out to our team.

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Tech Tip: How to Troubleshoot Your Port Forwarding Issues

Port forwarding, or port mapping as it is sometimes referred to, is a routing feature that allows users to access devices on the Internet that are behind a firewall. Ports may also require mapping to allow applications on the Internet to function properly. Configuration requires multiple steps and may fail to succeed due to certain variables. See below for just a few common issues, then head over to our Support Portal for a full checklist of troubleshooting suggestions. 

  • Can you reach the WAN IP address from a remote connection?
    • Often, this means the destination device has a publicly-routable WAN IP. Note that the connection may be NAT’d and the address seen from the Web (e.g.: whatismyip.com) may not be the address on the WAN interface of the router. This is especially common for cellular connections.
      • These specific IP address ranges (RFC 1918) are reserved specifically as non-routable addresses to be used in private networks:
        • 10.0.0.0 through 10.255.255.255
        • 172.16.0.0 through 172.32.255.255
        • 192.168.0.0 through 192.168.255.255
      • If the router receives a WAN IP address within any of these private ranges, this means that connections originating from the Internet will not be able to get past the NAT router (without port forwarding) in order to actually reach the router’s WAN interface.
      • Cellular carriers may use addresses in the RFC 6598 space.
        • The RFC 6598 address space includes addresses from 100.64.0.0/10 to 100.127.255.255
  • Rule configured incorrectly
    • Check that you have the correct port(s) as well as protocol (TCP, UDP) and the Server’s LAN IP address (i.e. the device you are forwarding ports for).
  • Don’t have all the needed ports configured
    • Sometimes multiple forwarding rules are needed for the same address. Check with the manufacturer of the server device to confirm this if needed
    • Is a single port needed or should you use a Port Range?
  • Server is not responding locally
    • Try to communicate with the Server device locally first. If this does not work, remote access will not either.
  • Port conflict
    • There is already a rule that exists or another device on the LAN using the port(s) in question. 
  • IP conflict
    • The IP address used by the Server device also belongs to another device on the LAN.
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What Impacts Does 5G Have on Data Storage

5G holds a lot of promise, some of which we’ve already seen in new technology and services.  It’s expected to have a big impact on enterprise IT, which includes storage. Just think about how much we as personal users rely on data storage, then imagine that multiplied by ten and it’s likely what most enterprises deal with in the same time frame.  

Almost any business process where there are sensors and data collection, or where data will be delivered to endpoints, will likely be enabled by 5G at some point. Together with artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), 5G can allow enterprises to gain insight and value from all this data.

Put simply, the impact on storage is that there will be more of it, to handle much increased (largely unstructured) data volumes, with bulk storage scattered in new network locations at the edge. Meanwhile, security and durability needs will increase in these locations, and performance requirements will dictate use of flash and NVMe.

What is 5G? 

This is defined as the fifth generation mobile network. It is a network that runs on several new frequencies, as well as old, and means that our bandwidth speeds and latency should be well improved (at least in some cases).  

5G mainly operates across the following frequency bands:

Low-band 5G operates between 600-850 MHz. This is similar to what 4G networks currently use and is only moderately faster than 4G, between 50-250 Mbps offering similar coverage areas for each cell tower. 

Mid-band 5G operates in the 2.5-3.7 GHz range and delivers speeds between 100-900 Mbps. While offering less range per cell tower, this type of 5G is going to be the most common implementation of 5G networks for many years to come. 

High-band 5G is the band that is most commonly associated with 5G. Operating at 25-39 GHz, this is known as the “millimeter wave” spectrum and delivers gigabit speeds (some tests have shown as high as 3 Gbps). The tradeoff is that millimeter wave transmitters have very limited range and require the deployment of many small transmitters, so it’s only viable in urban areas where transmitters can be near closely spaced homes and buildings.

While the full capability of 5G won’t be achieved for a while (full maturity has been estimated to be three or four years away), 5G is suggested to be the first mobile technology that’s truly suited to use in enterprise applications.

At the same time, the changes needed bring implications for hardware infrastructure, including storage. This is mainly because 5G’s millimeter wave delivery mechanism demands a much higher density of hardware infrastructure in terms of base stations, but also in local processing and storage capacity.

5G for Enterprises

5G can potentially make dramatic changes as a transport for enterprise applications. That could include internet of things-driven deployments in vehicles and retail systems, advances in manufacturing and distribution, and consumer-facing delivery of content.

It is true that 5G can provide significantly faster cellular bandwidth rates. This could just mean new bottlenecks in un-deployed parts of the topology, because the increased volumes of data will not suddenly flow from core to edge, unimpeded by network economics.

All of which means the private enterprise and public sector deployment of 5G will likely be very significant – and with its own characteristics – in terms of total data volumes and in its impacts on the architecture of that delivery. 

5G WAN architecture

There’s quite a bit available on 5G and how it works. When talking about the impacts of data storage, we want to address the variations of 5G-enabled wide-area networking architecture. They are likely to include:

Endpoints: These could be consumer-facing or with the enterprise, including industrial, vehicle, retail, personal, receiving and collecting and transmitting data. Endpoint storage capacities, as well as performance, will increase.

Cell-site and street locations: Some local processing and storage will be needed to maximize throughput and minimize latency. At these locations, data would be retained either as part of the delivery process or collection, governed by the fact that a direct route between core and edge may not always be desirable from an economics or performance perspective. These could be sites from which local content is delivered, which could mean sizable files being delivered to consumers. 

Campus or “edge cloud”: In private 5G networks, there are likely to be campus- or location-level sites where data needs to be staged. This means data staging, up and down, but perhaps the environmental concerns are lower. This is more like a local cloud data center.

Cloud, the core of the network: This is of course, the most economical place to store and process data. The cloud core will be pretty much the same, but there will be an increase in storage capacity, of the required performance and for unstructured data, to service downstream demand and upstream data collection.

5G Storage

To sum up, storage for 5G will include:

  • Increased capacity, at the core and edge.
  • High-performance for streaming and analytics.
  • Ability to handle unstructured data.
  • Storage and processing in new locations, such as street cell-sites.
  • The “edge cloud” as a new location for storage and processing.
  • Possible form factor changes; environmental durability and security needed. 
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What’s New with T-Mobile’s 5G Fixed Wireless Service

Everyone is in competition with each other for the Super Bowl, not just the players or fans, but the companies whose ads play during the game. While Verizon got Jim Carrey to reprise his role in the “The Cable Guy,” T-Mobile brought back “Scrubs” with actors Zack Braff and Donald Faison singing a duet – to the tune of “I Feel Pretty” – about how great its home internet services are. They also had some hilarious PSA-type ads with the great Dolly Parton, and Miley Cyrus, urging people to think of 5G phones.

Since the Super Bowl, T-Mobile has expanded its 5G home internet service in three states – Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. This brings the carrier’s 5G Home Internet offering to 62 cities and towns across the three states, with coverage spanning nearly 5 million homes. Overall, T-Mobile says 30 million homes are eligible for its fixed wireless access (FWA)-based service across the country.

Wednesday’s announcement highlighted part of T-Mobile’s strategy to make FWA available in markets where there is little or no choice for traditional broadband. This would certainly give them an edge, if they can make it happen. According to T-Mobile, there are at least 3 million people in these three states who don’t have any access or only have one option for a broadband provider.

In a statement Kentucky State Representative Mary Beth Imes praised the expanded coverage effort, saying thousands more households now have access to unlimited high-speed internet.

“T-Mobile Home Internet has expanded access in Kentucky, bringing our state a real competitive option for broadband where many households are still left without any option or any good option,” Imes said.

In the announcement, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan emphasized that T-Mobile’s expansion is helping to make broadband access more equitable.

“In Akron, families rely on home broadband now more than ever before,” he noted. “But throughout the pandemic, options for reliable connectivity have been lacking, and for some households, non-existent.”

T-Mobile is charging $50 per month for home internet, as long as you setup with autopay. They guarantee no added taxes or fees, price hikes, equipment costs or data caps. Just like Verizon’s 5G Home Internet, customers can self-install the gateway in what T-Mobile says is a 15-minute process. 

T-Mobile is of course bringing in FWA subscribers mainly from more urban and suburban areas. These are generally areas that already have multiple options for broadband Internet. According to a recent Evercore report however, it’s suggested that areas with few options are where fixed wireless has some of the most potential. Overall, the firm found that fixed wireless speeds from different providers across the U.S. varied widely and that cable or fiber often delivered better performance.

“Outside of urban areas with millimeter wave, cable and fiber are able to offer a superior product to fixed wireless, and we expect that many of the fixed wireless net adds in rural areas will be households transitioning from DSL to fixed wireless where cable or fiber is not available,” Evercore stated.

With that being said, there was a report from New Street Research last month that noted when FWA additions from T-Mobile and Verizon are factored in (which totaled 302,000 combined), cable lost share of the overall broadband market in the fourth quarter of 2021. 

“If this result holds, the last two quarters may be the first time Cable hasn’t taken share in well over a decade,” New Street’s Jonathan Chaplin wrote in a February note to investors.

T-Mobile ended last year with 646,000 home internet customers after adding 224,000 FWA subscribers in the fourth quarter. The carrier’s new goal is to increase its fixed wireless subscribers to 7 million to 8 million by the end of 2025. In comparison, Verizon added 78,000 FWA net additions last quarter, ending the year with a total of about 223,000.

Predictions from LightShed Partners came in last month for 2022, forecasting T-Mobile and Verizon would add 1.8 million wireless home broadband customers this year. This is more than double what they added in 2021. The firm noted spectrum depth as the key to speed and capacity carriers need to play competitively in this home broadband market.

“They have been spending tens of billions of dollars on this valuable asset and now they plan to deploy a ton of it,” wrote LightShed analysts in January.

Some analysts however, such as those at MoffettNathanson, see T-Mobile’s goal as more of a challenge.

“The math of acquiring 7-8M customers from an addressable pool of just 30M is daunting enough – it implies something between 23 and 30% penetration of addressable homes, an arguably absurdly ambitious target,” wrote MoffettNathanson analysts in a December report.

Part of the challenge MoffettNathanson highlighted relates to capacity and aligning FWA subscribers with cell sites or sectors that have the most available, as operators want to make sure more valuable mobile customers don’t have their experience hampered by FWA usage.

“It will be relatively easy to acquire FWA customers initially, when almost all cell site sectors are ‘open,’ but it will get harder and harder over time to match demand to precisely those pockets of supply where the network can safely tolerate loads of this magnitude,” Moffett noted.

Also important to note – T-Mobile places a cap on the number of FWA customers it will take on in addressable markets, and once it hits a certain threshold in an area, closes it off to new customers until someone drops the service.

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Who is the fastest 5G carrier in the US?

According to the latest report from RootMetrics T-Mobile may have the fastest 5G speeds and greatest 5G availability, but what about reliability?

When measuring only 5G reliability, a different carrier, Verizon, came out on top.

The timing of this testing however, is important to note. 5G performance was done during the second half of 2021. At the start of the New Year, you may recall that Verizon and AT&T were finally able to turn on their new C-Band 5G coverare, which brings faster average speeds to a greater number of people (more than 90 million, according to Verizon). AT&T has only a handful of cities covered at this point.

The RootMetrics report gathered results from tests that were run in 125 of the largest cities in the U.S. In the end, they found T-Mobile had the fastest 5G download speeds in 48 markets, compared to three for Verizon and zero for AT&T. Median download speeds for T-Mobile topped 100 Mbps in more than half the cities RootMetrics tested in. In 26 markets, the speeds topped 200 Mbps.

T-Mobile was also determined to have the best 5G availability. With the highest availability in 83 tested markets, T-Mobile topped AT&T (62 markets) and Verizon (6 markets).

In comparison with 5G reliability, T-Mobile was actually found to have the lowest amount at 19. Verizon had the best in 93 markets, also topping AT&T, which only showed in 67 markets. 

These findings weren’t just determined by RootMetrics either. Their results are right inline with what has been seen from other third party testers. Back in January, OpenSignal published a 5G performance report in which T-Mobile not only had the fastest 5g download speeds, but was 93.9 Mbps faster than its closest rival. T-Mobile also came out on top for availability and reach.

When comparing T-Mobile’s approach to the 5G rollout to that of AT&T and Verizon’s, it’s clear that T-Mobile got ahead by using sub-6GHz spectrum to create a far-reaching 5G nationwide network. The network now reaches more than 310 million people. More recently, they’ve begun using mid-band spectrum — much of it obtained through the merger with Sprint — to boost speeds. T-Mobile calls this their Ultra Capacity 5G service and it covers some 210 million people.

Verizon and AT&T started their 5G journey by concentrating on mmWave-based 5G. This can be very fast, but has a limited range. mmWave-based towers are in select cities. To provide more coverage, but at slower speed, the two carriers use sub-6GHz 5G.

After a few delays and limitations AT&T and Verizon were able to roll out more coverage in January, this time on the faster C-Band spectrum. The higher band spectrum has a wider reach than mmWave, enabling both carriers to reach more people with faster 5G service. In Verizon’s case, they have more than 90 million people being covered with the carrier’s fastest Ultra Wideband 5G. AT&T is rolling out its C-Band 5G, though on a more limited basis currently.

C-Band tests have been done in a number of different locations and already seems to be improving performance for Verizon. Right after C-Band 5G went live, testing firm Ookla published a report claiming that Verizon’s average 5G download speed jumped to 116.3 Mbps from 76.5 Mbps within the course of a week. For comparison, T-Mobile speeds increased from 182 Mbps to 187.1 Mbps in that same time period.

With the recent upgrades and third party tests that have come out, it would seem the leader board is bound to shift by RootMetrics’ next test. Only time will tell!

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What Can Drones Do with 5G?

Verizon’s 5G Edge is now working with Amazon Web Services (AWS) with the help of a group of aerospace, robotics and software development engineers and former military personnel. Their company, Easy Aerial, uses autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) solutions, or drones, to protect and save lives.

Together with AWS Wavelength, they’ve created technology to enable near-real-time object detection for drones. The Easy Guard ground station, one of Easy Aerial’s product offerings, is described by the company as a “smart” aircraft hangar for takeoff, landing, and charging, and this “drone-in-a-box” solution was selected for exploring 5G integration. 

The 5G-enabled Easy Guard system allowed for a successful transmission of telemetry data from Easy Aerial drones. This made it possible to monitor flights in near-real-time. They were also able to reduce the data transmission rates of the drones by leveraging 5G for communications. This also provided reduced latency via use of 5G and mobile edge compute (MEC) on “AI-powered data processing,” Verizon notes in a description of the collaboration with Easy Aerial and AWS.

Per Verizon’s announcement, the integration of 5G and mobile edge computing for drone operations provided a savings of about 10% in drone costs. Flight time was also increased by about 40%.

Ivan Stamatovski, CTO of Easy Aerial, explained that a demonstration like this has not been attempted before, in part because of a lack of actual 5G coverage in the U.S.; however, Easy Aerial is optimally positioned to utilize both AWS and Verizon’s 5G Edge. 

Integrating 5G, according to Stamatovski, “opens up a lot of avenues for using small unmanned aircraft systems [sUAS] for all kinds of applications,” he told Avionics International. The team at Easy Aerial had developed the Easy Guard ground station and, after joining the 5G studio, began working on possible applications for 5G within the Easy Guard system.

Stamatovski explained that “typically, we would have our AI for people recognition and car detection, and we would run it on a local computer, but we said, ‘Since there’s limited space and limited power for it, let’s see if we can put that all on Amazon Edge.’” It was also important to have low latency for object detection so that processing would happen in real-time or near real-time. “We decided to go with Amazon Edge,” he said, “because the cloud is too far out there. The whole setup was made so that the drone talks to Amazon directly, and Amazon does the processing and AI with our algorithms that were deployed on the Edge. Then it communicates back to another 5G unit that is inside our Easy Guard.”

Stamatovski also commented on the benefits from using the high bandwidth for UAVs that Verizon 5G Edge and AWS Wavelength are able to provide. By processing data at the edge of the network—in near-real-time—“it shifts the paradigm on what is possible to achieve with airborne sensors,” he said.

“I was surprised with how fast it was. I don’t think many people have had a chance to really experience that speed,” Stamatovski shared. “The transfer speed was higher than when we had direct communication via ground link. It opens up possibilities to do all kinds of processing; there is no limitation on the size and weight of the computer that runs on the drone. You can have a whole room of servers running and use all of that processing power for your aerial vehicle.”

The partnership formed between Easy Aerial and Verizon seems to be one that will last, as they are already looking into new opportunities to demonstrate 5G integration.

“We’re working on a couple of demos with their development center and are going to deploy the same setup, just on the tethered variant of our drones,” Stamatovski remarked. “We’re now exploring all the variations that [Easy Aerial] has made, and seeing how much more we can do with 5G.”

Stamatovski addressed the IoT industry as well. He predicts that within the next five years, there will be new hardware developments available for Internet of Things (IoT) devices with high bandwidth consumption.

“This is really what 5G is all about: giving high bandwidth to all the IoT devices. It will enable a new crop of IoT companies [including Easy Aerial] that can provide real-time situational awareness and all kinds of sensor data to be harvested. It’s something that does not exist today.” For Easy Aerial, he said, the coming developments will help them to stay connected and utilize more of the computing power in the cloud.

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What Do I Need to Know About the 3G Shutdown?

As 5G becomes available in more areas, and on more frequencies, the 3G networks are getting closer to their shutdown dates. This could be a serious problem for some companies as some services still operate over the 3G frequencies. 

On February 22nd, AT&T is scheduled to be the first carrier to shut down its 3G network. T-Mobile’s shutdown will happen by July 1st. 

You may recall that Verizon was originally set to shutdown 3G back in 2019. After much back and forth with the Federal Communications Commission, the U.S. regulator, they agreed to push the shutdown to this December.

Among the companies that are affected by this shutdown are vehicle connected services, home-alarm systems, and 911 alert necklaces. 

The home-alarm industry has asked the FCC to delay AT&T’s network sunset until December. Per FCC Spokesperson Paloma Perez, the FCC is monitoring the 3G phase-out and working to “implement safeguards” for older phones and other devices.

WHY IS 3G BEING PHASED OUT?

3G networks were first introduced by AT&T, who ended up being the exclusive carrier for early iPhones later that decade. The networks we currently rely on for video streaming, social media apps, and others mostly use the 4G LTE network as their standard. 

For the cellular providers, shutting down 3G is simply part of the upgrade process. Once these outdated networks are gone, it allows them to use the freed-up bandwidth for newer services.

AT&T says that delaying the shutdown would hurt its 5G rollout, degrading its customers’ ability to use their service and causing more dropped calls. The carrier argues that companies have had about five years to upgrade their customers’ devices. Interestingly, the carrier also says the FCC doesn’t have the authority to stop its shutdown.

WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN TO MY 3G PHONE?

Phones that operate solely on 3G will quit working – including for phone calls and text messaging. In those cases, users will need to upgrade to at least a 4G LTE phone. 

Your cellular provider should have contacted you in some fashion about this. AT&T, for example, sent offers of free replacements via letters, emails and texts. Spokesperson Jim Greer said fewer than 1% of AT&T’s consumer devices, including phones, tablets and watches, will lose cellular service. 

WHAT OTHER DEVICES ARE AFFECTED?

Everything from home fire alarms to ankle bracelets used by law enforcement and the 911 alert necklace your Grandmother may wear. It’s not certain how many outdated products are out there, or how much of an impact it could make if updates were to take place after February 22nd.

The alarm industry and other companies say they have had issues replacing devices even though they’ve known about the coming shutdown for years. Recent setbacks include both pandemic-triggered supply-chain issues and customers hesitant to let technicians into their homes because of potential health risks.

An alarm-industry lobbying group estimates that 1.5 million customers still need to upgrade their fire or burglar alarms, while about half a million have medical alert devices that run on 3G; it said most rely on AT&T service. 

While a non networked fire alarm will still sound an alarm if there’s smoke, it won’t be able to contact the fire department. Likewise, burglar alarms won’t route to emergency responders if triggered. 

Not all providers say there’s an issue. ADT said in November that it was on track to update its AT&T customers by February; a spokesperson declined to offer an update on Sunday.

AARP, the advocacy group for adults over 50, is also concerned that users of medical alert systems — those necklaces and bracelets, like Life Alert — that connect users to emergency call centers won’t know their gadgets don’t work anymore or won’t be able to replace them in time.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty about the impact and about how many people are affected,” said Tom Kamber, the executive director of Older Adults Technology Services, a nonprofit affiliated with AARP. The AARP has asked the FCC to delay the AT&T shutdown until December.

With regards to vehicles, some manufacturers are eliminating important safety features – such as the emergency SOS button in BMWs – after phone carriers start phasing out 3G services. Some carmakers are offering free upgrades, while Tesla and Chrysler are charging for them. Others including Hyundai, Lexa, Nissan, Toyota and BMW are sending out notices to tell drivers they will lose the features immediately. Those with OnStar, like Honda and GM, are offering software upgrades, but they are time sensitive and require action in the next week. Check out a list of the affected vehicles here. 

Zonar, which provides GPS and other services for buses and trucks, says tens of thousands of vehicles will be affected. Trucks that aren’t upgraded may have to be idled if drivers can’t electronically log their hours as federal rules require. Zonar has a workaround for the trucking industry, but not all customers have placed orders for it, said Susan Corscadden, a company marketing executive.

One manufacturer of ankle bracelets for people on probation, parole or pre-trial release said it hasn’t been able to update many 3G-reliant devices. A premature shutdown could potentially allow tens of thousands of offenders like child abusers, sex offenders and drunk drivers to go unmonitored while out of prison, Alcohol Monitoring Systems wrote in an August FCC filing. The company did not respond to questions.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I’M AFFECTED?

Check with your cellular provider to make sure your phone will still work, or see what you need to upgrade to. 

For customers that have network connected burglar alarms, fire alarms, a personal medical alert device, or a vehicle with cellular connectivity, call the companies to see if you need to update your equipment. If so, schedule an appointment before your provider’s scheduled shutdown, or see about getting a new device shipped to you.

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What is Verizon 5G Home Internet and 5G Business Internet?

After an exciting halftime show at the Super Bowl, Jim Carrey reprised his role in “The Cable Guy” to market Verizon’s new 5G Home and Business Internet solutions. The ad showcased how fast and easy the equipment was to set up as well as how it compares to traditional cable services. 

Today, Verizon is jumping back to their 5G expansion plans. They’ve already met their goal of 100 million users covered with 5G Ultra Wideband service and are capable of providing the Home and Business Internet solutions to 30 million households and more than 2 million businesses.

“We can’t wait for customers to experience our fast, reliable and secure internet options like our ultra-fast, ultra simple Home Internet, and we’ll continue to bring them to more and more places around the country, paving the path to becoming the top home Internet provider in America,” said Manon Brouillette, CEO of Verizon’s Consumer Group.

With 5G Home Internet, customers can be up and running with their computers, phones, tablets and any other network device, in a matter of minutes – whether they set it up themselves or have Verizon install it. They also have two options: 5G Home or 5G Home Plus. And, it’s 50 percent off for customers on one of Verizon’s new 5G Ultra Wideband Unlimited plans (only when you combine your plan with 5G Do More, 5G Play More or 5G Get More plan. Also requires Auto Pay and paper-free billing) There are no annual contracts, extra fees, data overages or equipment charges. The price is the price, guaranteed. Customers can even get the first month on Verizon.

5G Business Internet also offers customers great performance and reliability, with an easy setup, on all their devices. This solution can fit businesses of all sizes and includes self setup or professional installation options, multiple pricing and service options, unlimited data, and a 10-year price guarantee (applies to monthly access fee only).

Verizon’s wireless Internet solutions with fast, reliable and secure 5G Home Internet and 5G Business Internet are already available (or will be this week) in parts of Omaha, NE; Boise, ID; El Paso, TX; Grand Rapids, MI and Panama City, FL. 5G Home Internet will be available in parts of Baltimore, MD, next month.

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How Will 5G Affect the Way We View the Super Bowl Halftime Show?

Verizon Wireless is about to make 5G history at this year’s Super Bowl halftime show. They started their journey to provide 5G Ultra Wideband service to 100 million users nationwide and now they’re making even more 5G services available with 5G Home Internet and 5G Business Internet.

The most exciting thing to come from this journey – aside from the additional 5G coverage for us consumers – is the tech they’re incorporating into the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show. Verizon will also showcase the speed and power of its 5G network throughout the game broadcast – from the on-field action to immersive mobile access to the halftime show.

This is in fact Verizon’s fifth consecutive year with an in-game advertisement and they’re pulling out all the stops with funny man Jim Carrey reprising his role as “The Cable Guy.”  

The show will be streamed in real-time via several 360-degree 4K cameras placed around the stadium, field, and stage. This will give fans what Verizon is calling a “second screen experience.” Using the Pepsi Halftime mobile app, fans will be able to enter their “Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Ultra Pass Powered by Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband” and gain access to “exclusive vantage points not accessible on television.” 

“The Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Ultra Pass Powered by Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband is so much more than just a second-screen experience, it lets fans feel as though they are on stage with the artists,” said Diego Scotti, CMO, Verizon. “Utilizing 5G Ultra Wideband technology and in close partnership with Pepsi, Roc Nation and the NFL, we are able to enhance one of the most-watched events of the year, in a way that’s never been done before, opening the doors for the future of live events.”

“This year’s Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show performance is already among the most anticipated of all time, so we wanted to provide fans with an unprecedented level of access. Since most people already consume content on their mobile devices while watching the game on TV, we thought it was a great opportunity to create a new, immersive way for fans to experience the performance – as if they were on the stage or in the stadium itself – all from within our Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show mobile app,” said Todd Kaplan, VP of Marketing, Pepsi. 

For fans that will be attending the big game, Verizon is also providing their “5G Multi-View” which will be found within the NFL Ticketholder app. This will however be limited to select Android and iOS 5G phones. It will give those fans the opportunity to engage with up to seven different camera angles, project AR overlays of NFL’s Next Gen Stats for players, and access instant replays. Using Verizon 5G Multi-View means you will never miss a moment of the on-field action – it will be right in the palm of your hand. 

Among the investments Verizon has put into their 5G network, they made a $119 million long term investment throughout Los Angeles and Inglewood, just in preparation for the big game. Of course, that investment on 169 small cells, 4 macro cell sites, and 24 new in-building systems is going to benefit customers living in and traveling to the area for quite some time to come. With regards to the Super Bowl, these solutions will provide reliable, secure service to visitors attending the game, NFL players and staff, first responders and residents of Los Angeles and Inglewood enjoying all the festivities surrounding the big game and beyond.

With all the commotion the Super Bowl brings, we can’t forget about the first responders and workers around the stadium keeping us safe. Verizon Frontline, the advanced network and technology built for first responders, is working closely with public safety agencies throughout Los Angeles County to help ensure first responders have the reliable connectivity they need to protect fans at the game and those in the local community. The Verizon Command Center will also be operating around the clock to help ensure first responders and fans are able to communicate effectively.

For fans at home, you’ve now got the option of 5G Home Internet, available in select areas. Set up is plug and play and will allow you to connect all your TVs, tablets, phones, gaming consoles, etc, to Verizon’s fast 5G network. 

There’s also 5G Business Internet (available in select areas), which gives business customers a wireless alternative to cable internet. It can support businesses of all sizes and includes self setup or professional installation options, multiple pricing and service options, unlimited data, and a 10-year price guarantee (Price guarantee applies to monthly access fee only. Terms and restrictions apply).

So, whether fans are at the game, at home, or on the go, they can stream, tweet, Snap and share quickly and reliably, using Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network.

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How Can 5G Change Your “Live” Sports Experience

Up until more recently, every sports fan would likely agree that the best way to watch live sports is in a loud stadium packed with other like minded fans. Due to the changes we’ve all had to face with the pandemic, it’s now more difficult to feel comfortable around thousands of strangers.

At-home tech is growing and making it more possible for fans to enjoy the same benefits from the safety of their couch. Fans aren’t only interested in watching the live games, but they are now looking more at real-time tracking of scores and stats. They may even be streaming multiple games at the same time. And what would make the experience even better? To be totally immersed within the game using augmented reality. This truly 21st century tech can now be made possible thanks to Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband service. 

5G Ultra Wideband is available in select areas right now, but Verizon is slowly rolling out more coverage. As Verizon continues to expand this service coverage and as 5G adoption increases, users will be able to experience a secure, reliable connection that offers great speeds, massive capacity and low latency. 

With the Big Game ready to go this weekend, and more fans feeling comfortable about getting together, 5G Ultra Wideband enables endless possibilities for a second-screen experience while attending live games. Moving forward, this could shape stadium operations in a way that makes navigating a crowded stadium more seamless.

5G Ultra Wideband in crowded stadiums

Assuming you’ve ever found yourself at a crowded event, you may have experienced times where your smartphone essentially stops providing a cellular signal, or you simply have no speed to do anything. You may be able to place a phone call, but forget about texts or social media posts, and especially don’t think about trying to stream any video. 

“At stadiums where you’re packing 70,000 or 80,000 people into a confined area, connectivity has been a challenge for years,” says Eric Nagy, director of sports partnerships and innovation at Verizon. “So when you look at 5G and its characteristics, it really fits in nicely when it comes to stadiums. When you are connected to 5G Ultra Wideband in such a crowded, tight area, you can still get outstanding performance and do things that those around you can’t.”

According to Verizon’s announcement, “5G Ultra Wideband’s high performance should transform not only stadiums but the operations of retail stores, restaurants and even cities. For an enterprise, it could create a safer factory floor and many other benefits.”

There’s several applications for in-person fans that are already showing great promise. Fans will be able to easily track statistics and win probability, pull up in-game stats on the game they’re attending or even stream additional games on their mobile device. It also opens the door to entirely new and innovative ways of experiencing the game.

Enter Verizon’s 5G Multi-View experience – “a dynamic, personalized mobile streaming experience, available in select stadiums, that allows fans to view seven camera angles at once, choose replays from any angle and stay connected to family and friends with a selfie cam.” On some 5G-enabled phones, the experience adds AR-overlays of stats like top plays and win probability.

There’s also some exciting features from the folks at ShotTracker, a Verizon Ventures portfolio company. They have built hardware that uses sensors on the ball, in spots around the field, and even on the players. This allows them to track activity in real-time and send that data back where coaches and players can review them. With access to live analytics, it can help players learn from mistakes and the coach at making quicker decisions on how to proceed. 

“Most dynamic of all may be the impact on the fan experience,” says Davyeon Ross, co-founder and president at ShotTracker. “Not only does live data-sharing enable broadcasters to show fans value-add diagrams like shot maps or up-to-the-second stats, but the future could be headed for an experience that fans can more easily personalize, both at the game and at home.” 

It’s easy to imagine the possibilities now with 5G. Having cameras on the players, ShotTracker’s technology, and a reliable 5G connection in place may one day allow us to view the game from that player’s perspective. 

“Our data is connected to the video, so we could make it so that if you’re home, you could configure it and say, ‘hey, I want to choose what view I want to see. I want a ‘Zion Cam’ or maybe I want this pylon view that’s available,’” Ross says, referring to cameras attached to an individual player or pylons around a stadium. “Historically, broadcasters have controlled what we see as consumers. I think the evolution of 5G is not only in-stadium, but outside of stadiums. It’s going to empower and amplify those solutions to allow a certain level of personalization that will come in the future.”

Evolving the fan experience

In the near future, 5G has the potential of completely revolutionizing the way fans experience “live” sports. As we’ve already seen with T-Mobile at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, one area that can greatly benefit are stadiums and their day to day operations. Imagine having the option to enter the game with ticketless, hands-free entry or quickly grab snacks, beverages or merchandise by paying with touchless sales options rather than using a card or smart device. In an effort to start that process, Verizon opened a 5G-powered store offering “grab and go” checkout at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on December 19th.

“I visited our ‘frictionless’ store in Miami,” says Nagy, “and I walked in and walked out within 30 seconds buying the merchandise that I needed.”

With regards to augmented reality, some ideas have been to show fans wait times – on bathroom lines, concession stands, or at the exit gates.  Other innovations have yet to be envisioned. And even with the progress, Nagy says Verizon will continue to take in fan input and shape the stadium experience moving forward. His team is studying, for instance, how fans interact with the Multi-View experience. 

“Is this something that you use when you’re going out for a break to grab a beverage and want to stay up to date with the game? Or is it something you’re going to use in your seat when you’re sitting 20 rows back from the field?” Nagy asks. “We’re exploring that right now, and we take a lot of feedback from fans.”

How Teams Can Improve with 5G Tech

Aside from the fan experience, 5G is making a profound impact on the sporting world. This was most recently displayed during the Phoenix Suns’ last season. The team and their coaching staff utilized Verizon 5G and advanced analytic tools, which helped the Suns reveal otherwise hidden insights. In use were 150 HD cameras, sensors, nodes and 3D force plates, all of which was to capture computer-aided motion analysis, player and ball tracking, and shot tracking. It then leveraged 5G Ultra Wideband connectivity to tie it all together into a single integrated system.

It’s not just basketball either. Teams across almost every sport have started to integrate some type of 5G technology. Nagy says a recent use case with the NHL allowed for testers to point their 5G device, using an AR app running on Verizon’s 5G Edge with AWS wavelength, at any player on the ice and see real-time stats overlaid in AR, such as player speed, time on ice and historical stats.

“There could be a world where you have models written so you can detect certain defenses, and then you could get suggestions on what you do to counteract that,” Nagy says. “Could that be the future? I don’t know. I think the key is that the technology and 5G will help enable that.

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