Verizon bringing 5G service to parts of Phoenix area this week
Aug 22, 2019, 10:30 AM | Updated: Aug 25, 2019, 8:54 am
PHOENIX — Get ready for 5G, Phoenix.
Verizon has announced that parts of the metro area will go live with the technology Friday.
The new technical standard for wireless networks will be available in the downtown Phoenix area and on the Arizona State University campus in Tempe.
Verizon said it is also working with Boingo Wireless to bring 5G indoors and to public spaces, including Talking Stick Resort Arena and the Phoenix Convention Center.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed legislation in March 2017 to streamline the deployment of the technology.
Verizon charges $10 per month for access to the service, which is only available on 5G-enabled devices.
The technological breakthrough promises content streaming and video chatting with virtually zero buffering or lag time.
Industry experts say 5G networks will be able to better handle more users and heavy traffic and allow for advances in virtual and augmented reality.
Verizon has brought 5G to nine other U.S. cities, including Denver and Chicago, and plans to expand to more than 30 by the end of this year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.