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Kicking off the next generation of wireless.
All of the major U.S. carriers are hard at work on their 5G strategy. AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon have launched 5G networks and are aggressively expanding those networks through 2019. 5G service not only provides faster speeds but also reduced response times allowing for new services and cloud computing not previously available. For now, the major difference between LTE and 5G will be speed but as coverage continues to roll out to new areas, more services that rely on instant connectivity should become possible.
Verizon
Verizon is starting small with two cities deploying what it calls 5G Ultra Wideband (UWB). In short, this version of 5G uses large chunks of high frequency bandwidth that produce very high speeds but suffer in other areas such as coverage over distance and building penetration. While coverage is dense enough in cities to be included on the list, Verizon is being conservative and offering much more specific descriptions of tower locations.
At this time, it is easy to be discouraged about such minimal 5G coverage but this deployment is only a start for Verizon — it's promising 20 more cities this year. Early tests have been positive with us seeing speeds up to 1.4 Gbps. Although these massive speeds are impressive, they probably won't hold up under a full Chicago load, but it's still exciting to see.
5G on Verizon: Everything you need to know
- Atlanta, GA
- Chicago, IL
- Denver, CO
- Detroit, MI
- Indianapolis, IN
- Minneapolis, MN
- Providence, RI
- St. Paul, MN
- Washington DC
Verizon 5G
Ultra Wideband Service
A fast-growing millimeter wave network
High speed downloads and a quickly expanding network make Verizon's 5G implemenation of the most complete in the nation.
Sprint
Sprint is bringing its 2.5Ghz 5G to its Overland Park, KS location as well as the nearby Kansas City. They also provide 5G in three other cities with more to follow later this year. You can get access to this new network with the LG V50 ThinQ 5G, Samsung Galaxy S10 5G, or a hotspot from HTC running Android.
While Sprint customers wait to see how a potential merger with T-Mobile might pan out, Sprint has moved ahead with its service and even shows its 5G coverage alongside 4G on its coverage maps to demonstrate its confidence. Sprint has also promised coverage in Los Angeles, Phoenix, Chicago, Washington DC, and New York is coming soon.
- Atlanta, GA
- Dallas Fort Worth, TX
- Chicago, IL
- Houston, TX
- Kansas City, KS
Sprint 5G
Mid-band 5G
2.5Ghz means better coverage and stable speeds
More coverage makes Sprint's 5G network a strong option with speeds that are much faster than 4G. This 5G service will cover more people with less towers and few dropped connections.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile is the last of the Big Four to offer a 5G option. With a network much more similar to Verizon's in tech, T-Mobile's 5G deployment will be built on millimete wave technology at 28Ghz. The long and short of that is a strength in speed and a weakness in coverage. I am eagerly waiting to see what a combined Sprint and T-Mobile 5G network looks like once New T-Mobile is fully up and running.
5G on T-Mobile: Everything you need to know
- Atlanta
- Cleveland
- Dallas
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- New York
T-Mobile 5G
Millimeter Wave 5G
High speed 5G
T-Mobile is building its 5G network to favor speed over coverage and isn't charging customers any more to get on it. With T-Mobile, all you need is the phone and coverage to get 5G.
AT&T
AT&T certainly has one of the most impressive lists of cities with available 5G coverage but it's worth noting that it doesn't yet have a 5G compatible phone on sale. With phones coming later, AT&T has launched its 5G network for business use with a hotspot from Netgear being the main way to access it.
That's not necessarily a bad plan while the network works its way up to strength and phones become more readily available, and AT&T certainly seems poised to offer a strong network. If you are a consumer waiting to see that "5G" pop up on your phone, then you will need to wait a bit longer or see if another carrier provides service today.
5G on AT&T Wireless: Everything you need to know
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Charlotte, NC
- Dallas, TX
- Houston, TX
- Indianapolis, IN
- Jacksonville, FL
- Las Vegas, NV
- Los Angeles, CA
- Louisville, KY
- Nashville, TN
- New Orleans, LA
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Orlando, FL
- Raleigh, NC
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Waco, TX
AT&T 5G
mmWave 5G
5G for Business
Get 5G services on one of the largest millimeter wave 5G networks availble. With the Galaxy S10 5G and NETGEAR Nighthawk hotspot available, you can the most out of your connection.
5G is one of the more exciting things to happen to wireless networking in years and has the same exciting feeling that the move to 3G had. If you are a wireless enthusiast and want an easy way to see how 5G is shaping up worldwide, Ookla, the company famous for its internet speed test, has a map showing new locations as providers send them in.
The 5G Galaxy
Samsung Galaxy S10 5G
Fast, smooth, and cutting edge.
One of the most complete feeling flagship phones only gets better with 5G support and a massive battery. With a great display and cameras, this phone is the perfect tool for anyone that gets things done on the go.
5G from LG
LG V50 ThinQ 5G
An expensive proposition.
The LG V50 is a fine phone, and if you're already on Sprint and live in an initial 5G area it may be an appealing option. But it's very expensive compared to the comparable LTE-only LG G8, and chances are you don't live in Sprint's 5G coverage area anyway.
Update, July 2019: This article has been updated to reflect changes to AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon's 5G coverage. T-Mobile has been added to the list.
by Samuel Contreras