BASKING RIDGE, N.J. � Verizon Communications recently announced it will launch wireless residential broadband services in three to five U.S. markets in 2018. As a first application of 5G wireless, these services will use radio signals, rather than copper or fiber cables, to provide customers with Internet access.
Verizon has successfully trialed 5G residential applications in 11 markets in 2017. The commercial launch is based on customer experience and on Verizon�s confidence in new technology powered by millimeter-wave spectrum. (Here�s a Verizon-produced video that shows more.)
The first commercial launch for the 5G service is planned for Sacramento, Calif., in the second half of 2018. Details of that launch, and the announcement of additional markets, will be provided at a later date. The company estimates the market opportunity for initial 5G residential broadband services to be approximately 30 million households nationwide.
�This is a landmark announcement for customers and investors who have been waiting for the 5G future to become a reality,� said Hans Vestberg, Verizon president of global networks and chief technology officer.
Verizon is not the only company anticipating use of millimeter wave RF signals for customer connections. AT&T last year used millimeter wave spectrum in the 15 GHz and 28 GHz bands to test enterprise 5G applications at one of Intel�s local offices, according to rcrwireless.com. The trial at Intel�s office had a range of about 250 meters. �The enterprise customer then had the device, which terminated the 28 GHz 5G signal, then we distributed that to multiple users via Wi-Fi,� said Dave Wolter, AT&T Labs AVP of radio technology and strategy, quoted in the same article. �We gave it a workout as to what an enterprise would need from that kind of a system and let the employees of the enterprise use it.�
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