What is 5G
and why does it matter?The evolution of wireless communications.
What is 5G?
5G is the fifth generation (that’s what the “G” stands for) of wireless technology.
Broadly, the first generation of mobile technology, 1G, was about voice—the ability to use a phone in a car, or away from home. 2G introduced a short-messaging layer. 3G provided the core network speeds needed to launch the first smartphones. And 4G LTE, with its high data-transfer rates, gave us access to mobile video with low buffering and gave rise to many of the connected devices and location services that we rely on and enjoy today.
Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband (available with select plans1) offers transformational speeds and capabilities that can open the door to a whole new world of game-changing possibilities.
How fast can 5G be? Very.
5G download speeds are a significant improvement over previous generations. For example, with Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband:
- You can download a movie in minutes and a song in seconds.2
- You can get audio and video in HD.3
- You can experience console-quality gaming on the go.4
- You can stream, share, post and work in public settings without being slowed down by everyone around you when connected.
With Verizon, you also have America’s most reliable 5G network.5
See our latest 5G phones and other 5G offers, or get more 5G answers below.
What are the benefits of 5G?
5G can provide high speeds, low latency and massive capacity, offering the potential to change what you experience with your mobile device, and much more.
5G should help revolutionize industries and can provide immediate impact for customers. 5G could help make businesses more efficient and give consumers access to more information faster than ever before. It can help enable connected cars and lead to new fan experiences at stadiums. It could allow for new student experiences to invigorate education and support artificial intelligence (AI) in public safety. And it can enable advanced gaming and esports experiences.
Future of 5G: IoT, edge computing and a new era of connection
With high speed, low latency and massive capacity, Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband could help usher in a new era of connection, enabling the Internet of Things (IoT) in exciting new ways.
Verizon has mobile edge computing partnerships with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud, combining Verizon’s award-winning 5G network with industry-leading cloud expertise. These relationships can enable developers and enterprise customers to create large-scale, latency-sensitive applications using edge computing resources, which move data processing closer to the edge of the network for even faster response times.
That means a more responsive Internet of Things as well as amazing new uses for augmented reality, transformation in the supply chain, better cloud gaming and more. And for enterprises looking to capture the same advantages, Enterprise Intelligence can help bring together private 5G networks and Verizon 5G Edge to help drive better business outcomes.
Verizon has also been undergoing a massive network transformation for years, positioning us to drive this new technology revolution. In addition to using our industry leading spectrum position and our extensive, advanced fiber optic footprint, which underpins our mobile network, a huge part of that network transformation is using advanced technologies in our network. One of those technologies is network virtualization, which is critical for advanced operations and services that require a programmable network. Many key 5G use cases heavily rely on the programmability of virtualized networks.
Ultra-fast 5G speeds for your home or business.
Unlike the systems from traditional internet service providers, Verizon 5G Home Internet and 5G Business Internet don’t require messy wires—and they’re powered by Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband.
5G Home Internet is a wireless service with no data limits7, no messy wires and no hidden fees.
5G Business Internet a wireless alternative to cable internet for businesses of all sizes and includes self-setup or professional installation options, multiple pricing and service options, and unlimited data.
Ready for
Verizon 5G?Have questions? We've got answers.
1. 5G access requires a 5G-capable device in a 5G coverage area.
2. Download speeds may vary depending upon network and coverage conditions, and content optimization for 5G Ultra Wideband.
3. HD availability may depend on the specific Verizon data plan in which a customer is enrolled.
4. Lag dependent upon 5G spectrum used.
5. Most reliable 5G network based on more first place rankings in RootMetrics® 5G data reliability assessments of 125 metro markets conducted in 2H 2022. Tested with best commercially available smartphones on three national mobile networks across all available network types. Your experiences may vary. RootMetrics rankings are not an endorsement of Verizon.
6. Actual availability and speeds vary by address/location, plan, equipment and network connection.
7. Fios consumer data usage is subject to the usage restrictions set forth in Verizon's terms of service