5G Broadband Coming in 2018, Says Verizon

The telecommunications company will debut the next-generation technology in three to five cities next year, including Sacramento.

1 minute read

December 15, 2017, 11:00 AM PST

By Philip Rojc @PhilipRojc


Fiber Optic Cable

Doc Searls / Flickr

Amid the furor over the FCC's December 14 decision to repeal net neutrality rules, Verizon is preparing to unleash 5G broadband internet in "three to five cities" next year. Sacramento is one, but "Verizon has yet to disclose other markets," writes Kristin Musulin.

Verizon is touting the next-gen network's exceptional speeds. "The services aim to offer mobile speeds up to 40 times faster than current 4G LTE networks. [...] This announcement follows Verizon's recent 5G trial in 11 markets, including Sacramento, Seattle, Miami, Houston, Denver and Washington, DC."

Verizon and its allies in government want to pave the way for 5G by making it more difficult for state and local governments to regulate the industry's physical installations. Actions from D.C. follow similar bids to deregulate on the state level. Meanwhile, the "digital divide" remains an equity concern, while at the same time, many who have access to broadband fail to make use of it.

Friday, December 1, 2017 in Smart Cities Dive

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