Verizon launches 5G service in Minneapolis, Chicago

Verizon Wireless customers in Minneapolis and Chicago on Wednesday will have access to the carrier’s new fifth-generation wireless network, a week ahead of its scheduled launch.

Interested consumers will need to purchase a 5G moto mod to attach to the Motorola moto Z3 in order to access the network. The service will cost an additional $10 per month, the New York-based carrier said previously.

“We’re lighting up our 5G Ultra Wideband network in Chicago and Minneapolis, providing the world’s first commercial 5G mobile service with a 5G-enabled smartphone,” CEO Hans Vestberg touted in a statement.

The company plans to expand the offering, which promises broadband speeds without a hard-wired connection, to more than 30 cities in 2019.

Wireless providers are rushing to establish 5G networks, creating a bitter rivalry between top U.S. carriers. Sprint, for example, previously sued AT&T over its “5G Evolution” offering, which is actually the same 4G LTE technology used by most companies.

Ticker Security Last Change Change %
VZ VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC. 41.26 +0.59 +1.45%
T AT&T INC. 25.39 +0.07 +0.28%
TMUS T-MOBILE US INC. 208.01 -0.50 -0.24%
S SENTINELONE INC 16.97 +0.01 +0.06%

AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile also plan to launch 5G services this year.

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T-Mobile and Sprint have made the 5G race between the U.S. and China a foundation of their pitch to the federal government as its reviews the $26.5 billion merger between the third and fourth largest domestic carriers, respectively.