What is 5G
and why does
it matter?

5G is the fifth generation of mobile technology. The move to 5G can offer consumers and businesses a faster, more responsive and overall more powerful experience. What does that mean in real terms? With Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband, for example, users can experience superior speeds when downloading movies or shows, less lag while video chatting, better performance with multiple devices connected and a more seamless experience when gaming.

Like other cellular networks, 5G uses radio frequencies that ride over spectrum to send data. 

Verizon’s 5G network is built using three different bands of spectrum—low-band, midband (C-Band) and high-band (millimeter wave, or mmWave). 5G Nationwide uses the low-band spectrum, and high-performance 5G Ultra Wideband uses a combination of midband and high-band spectrum. Millimeter wave can carry massive amounts of data at high speed with very little lag. 

Verizon’s spectrum position, our extensive fiber ownership and the exceptionally advanced technology we deploy from the core of our network all the way to the edge of our network makes Verizon’s network reliable and poised for innovation.

C-Band is a midband wireless spectrum that is now part of Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network. C-band spectrum provides a valuable middle ground between capacity and coverage for 5G networks, offering high speed while expanding coverage for mobility, home broadband and business internet solutions to millions of customers.

Verizon is constantly expanding its 5G coverage. We expect to reach 200 million 5G Ultra Wideband POPs covered by the end of the first quarter of 2023, and 250 million 5G Ultra Wideband POPs covered by the end of 2024. And 5G Ultra Wideband has been deployed in many locations where large crowds may gather—such as music venues, sports stadiums, and cities and towns—so people can stream and share when connected. View our current 5G coverage map to see what’s available in your area.

5G Ultra Wideband is Verizon’s highest-performing 5G. Our 5G Ultra Wideband network uses high-band (mmWave) and midband (C-band) spectrums to deliver a top-of-the-line 5G experience. 5G Ultra Wideband provides game-changing benefits, like speeds up to 10 times faster than median 4G LTE speeds.¹

There are many 5G benefits for consumers, as well as benefits of 5G for businesses. For example, the benefits of Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband include:

1. Speeds up to 10 times faster than 4G LTE. So all your downloads take a fraction of the time—get a movie in minutes, or a song in seconds.²
2. More security and speed than public Wi-Fi. So you can say goodbye to slow speeds when you need to get online on the go. Be your own hotspot and stop worrying about hackers or snoopers.⁶
3. Video and audio in HD. So you can stream video and video chat without Wi-Fi, with fewer frozen faces from your family or co-workers.³
4. Built for crowds. So you can stream, share, post and work without being slowed down by everyone around you when connected.
5. Console-quality gaming on your phone. So you can game on the go with low lag.⁴

When you’re not in a 5G Ultra Wideband coverage area, you may still get a great network experience with 5G Nationwide and our award-winning 4G LTE network.

Verizon 5G Home is an ultra-fast, ultra-simple Verizon Home Internet option. It’s part of Verizon Home Internet’s portfolio of home internet services, which also includes LTE Home Internet and our award-winning Fios Home Internet.

Unlike the set ups from traditional internet service providers, Verizon 5G Home Internet doesn’t require any messy wires to run to your home; in fact, setup for this new system is plug-and-play in most cases. And it’s at an unbelievable value—with no annual contracts, no extra fees and no data caps.

Verizon 5G Home Internet is powered by Verizon’s ultra-fast 5G Ultra Wideband, which uses high-band and midband spectrum to deliver an amazing network experience. Verizon 5G Home Internet is available in select areas, and provides performance previously only available through wired connections.

Verizon 5G Home Internet is available in two plans. Verizon 5G Home offers download speeds of 85 – 300 Mbps, with typical upload speeds around 10 Mbps.⁷ Verizon 5G Home Plus offers download speeds of 85 – 300 Mbps in most areas, with max download speeds up to 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps) in select areas. Typical upload speeds are around 10 Mbps in most areas, and 50 Mbps in select areas.⁷

Learn more about 5G Home Internet speeds and availability here.

Verizon 5G Home Internet, a Verizon Home Internet option, uses 5G Ultra Wideband. If 5G Home is available at your location, it could replace your current home internet connection. Its ultra-powerful performance means that everyone in your household can use their devices, all at the same time. And it’s at an unbelievable value—with no extra contracts, no extra fees and no data caps.

It’s also super simple to set up: There are no extra wires and no pricey installation fees. Sign up and Verizon provides a Wi-Fi 6 router that’s easy to set up yourself and that provides a connection point for all your devices. And then you’re off and running.

Signing up for Verizon 5G Business Internet could have a positive impact on your bottom line and your connectivity for the foreseeable future. From straightforward deployment to consistent service with no data caps and pricing that makes it easier to forecast your expenses, Verizon 5G Business Internet could be an option that helps you stay competitive. Learn more here.

5G is the next generation of wireless technology. Some of the benefits of 5G include: Fast speeds given 5G can provide speeds up to 10 times faster than median Verizon 4G LTE speeds,¹ low latency and massive capacity. Just as 3G and 4G enabled new experiences like texting, video chatting, location-aware apps, high-res photo sharing, and music and video streaming, we’re just at the beginning of seeing what 5G can do. As Verizon has built out its 5G network, its award-winning it’s simultaneously improving 4G LTE nationwide. 4G LTE continues to serve millions of customers, and will operate in parallel to Verizon’s 5G network to deliver blazing data-transfer rates.

Verizon 5G speed is up to 10 times faster than median speeds of Verizon 4G LTE.²

In order to access 5G service, you’ll need a 5G-capable phone. For 5G Ultra Wideband service you’ll need to be inside a 5G Ultra Wideband coverage area and use a 5G Ultra Wideband-capable device with a 5G Ultra Wideband mobile plan.

To access 5G Nationwide, you’ll need a 5G Nationwide-capable device, and be in a 5G coverage area. Most devices manufactured in 2020 will require you to download a software update that adds the 5G Nationwide capability. View list of updates.

To see available 5G-capable Ultra Wideband and 5G Nationwide smartphones and devices, visit our 5G phones and devices page.

Verizon 5G Home Internet, powered by 5G Ultra Wideband, could replace your current home internet connection. Check if 5G Home Internet is available in your area.