As the first carrier in the world to launch a 5G network back in April 2019, Verizon has always been ahead of the curve. Now stepping into 2022, the telecom giant is continuing to push the way we communicate towards the future.
Providing up to 10 times faster speeds than median Verizon 4G LTE speeds, 5G Ultra Wideband will reach 100 million soon after it launches in the coming weeks. From the ability to watch High Definition content on the go to streaming console-quality games, the new technology promises to be a game-changer in more significant ways.
To celebrate the launch, actress Elizabeth Banks hosted Verizon’s “5G Ultra Show,” a star-powered live stream that aired on January 4th. In case you missed the event, here are a few key things we took away from the half-hour presentation.
Large Scale Events Will Never Be The Same
Basketball games or enormous music festivals can slow down connection speeds to a crawl with so many people downloading and uploading various content. With that in mind, it made sense for the 5G Ultra Show to provide an example of how practical 5G Ultra Wideband can be when you are connected to it in extremely crowded areas.
Taking viewers to Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, CA, ESPN SportsCenter anchor Hannah Storm gave insight into how 5G Ultra Wideband will change the sporting event experience. When connected to 5G Ultra Wideband, visitors of Sofi can stream videos, text, and make phone calls even when in a crowd.
“When thousands of fans and even more devices connect all at the same time, stadium operations could change forever,” Storm shared.
This includes the ability for ticketless entry to become the norm, touchless sales at concession stands, and even AR Wayfinding to locate seats or bathrooms with the shortest lines.
HD Video Will Be Seamless
Before using a bus, subway, or even plane, most smartphone users find it easier to download standard-definition video on WiFi before heading out into the open world instead of relying on cellular data to stream content. Having up to 10 times faster speeds through 5G Ultra Wideband, however, opens the door for more reliable streaming.
The same goes for video conferencing over cellular networks, according to Andrea Caldini, Verizon’s VP of Product & Technology, who explains, “Video chats, business calls and FaceTimes will be able to stream live with HD video and audio with fewer frozen faces or stuttering.”
5G Ultra Wideband is Faster and Safer than Public WiFi
Public WiFi found in places like coffee shops, hotels, airports, parks, malls, and restaurants allow people to stay connected to social media or, most importantly, work on the go. According to reports, 82% of U.S. residents say they use public WiFi when available.
That said, too many individuals on a given WiFi network can slow things down too much to even be useful. Not to mention using public networks can be risky thanks to Man-in-the-Middle attacks and WiFi snooping. Individuals concerned with cyber security on public WiFi usually have to use VPNs for an added layer of digital protection. Verizon hopes to change all of that through 5G Ultra Wideband.
Verizon VP of Network Engineering Philip French says 5G Ultra Wideband could deliver the industry’s “biggest hotspot.” This means that business owners like jewelry designer Lauren Harwell Godfrey can download huge graphic files and talk to customers through high definition video conferencing software efficiently without worrying about sensitive information being exposed, which is a win-win for everyone.
Console-Quality Gaming With Low Lag on Mobile Is a Reality
Mobile gaming has quickly taken a little over half of the overall video game industry. Between better smartphone hardware technology and faster connection speeds, the segment is inching closer to providing console-quality gaming.
Greg Borrud, the General Manager for developer Niamic Studios, says that 5G Ultra Wideband allows them to take augmented reality used in games they’ve developed like Pokemon Go to the next level. He even mentioned how their development platform Lightship can change mobile gaming through the new connection speeds Verizon is enabling.
“Experiences that feel less like a game and more like another reality that is layered onto and woven into our own,” Borrud explains. “5G and edge Compute will allow those games to be richer, more cinematic multiplayer experiences that gamers can explore with incredibly low latency.”
Verizon 5G Home and 5G Business Internet Are the Tools You Need
Depending on where one lives or conducts business, their broadband internet options can be limited. Over the years, Verizon has done their part to provide quality service for its consumers via Fios. Now, Verizon is providing even more options for broadband connectivity with the introduction of their 5G Home router and 5G Business Internet, which is all powered by 5G Ultra Wideband.
Actor and PC gaming enthusiast Terry Crews displayed how all users of 5G Home have to do is plug in the router and follow Verizon’s self-set-up guide. Adding the cherry on top is the lack of an annual contract. Through 5G Home, users can have speedy internet access without fumbling wires or going through annoying set-ups.
Verizon 5G Business Internet also has a self-set up option for select plans that makes it easy for business owners to get started and get ultra fast speeds. All of this is provided with a 10-year price guarantee with no long-term contract. Crews even gifted popular Los Angeles bookstore Malik Books with their very own 5G Business Internet router during the 5G Ultra Show.
If that doesn’t get you pumped for what 5G Ultra Wideband has in store, you can check out the full event here.
- Public Wifi speeds from March 2021 based on Opensignal independent analysis of measurements recorded during the period December 19, 2020 – March 19, 2021 © Opensignal Limited.
- 5G Ultra Wideband available in select areas.
