Verizon 5G network infrastructure has continued to grow and evolve since its introduction, starting with an ultra-fast mmWave network and moving to a slower but much more practical low-band nationwide solution. The most significant evolution of the Verizon 5G network came in early 2022 with his C-band.
C-band spectrum currently makes up the most exciting part of Verizon’s network, and deployment is proceeding rapidly, with some small successes leading the carrier to increase the amount of spectrum it uses sooner than planned. I was able to. His Verizon tests, grouped under the name “Ultra Wideband” first used in mmWave, showed speeds of up to 1.4Gbps in C-band in a 100MHz deployment.
As of August 2023, Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband covers more than 222 million people across the United States. If the carrier manages to keep up the pace, it should be able to provide substantial competition to T-Mobile’s mid-band network in the coming years.
Unlimited data with 5G access
Most Verizon plans now include 5G access, but for the fastest speeds you’ll need Ultra Wideband through one of its more expensive unlimited plans, such as Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Ultimate. Masu.
Where does Verizon have 5G coverage?
If you have a smartphone that supports Verizon’s nationwide 5G network and live in a large city, you’re more likely to be covered. The network covers over 2,700 cities, but the speeds aren’t much faster than LTE, so most people won’t miss out on much. While still lacking compared to T-Mobile’s 5G coverage, it laid the foundation for Verizon’s long-term 5G ambitions. This nationwide 5G network will share spectrum with the carrier’s LTE network, and towers will allocate spectrum as needed based on demand.
Verizon’s most significant advancement in 5G comes with Ultra Wideband. Fortunately, for most people, it comes from C-band, not mmWave.
To see if we’ve got you covered, check out Verizon’s 5G coverage map.
Ultra wideband 5G
The C-band spectrum refers to a portion of the sub-6GHz spectrum that will first become partially available in late 2021, with the remainder available over the next year. This 3.7 GHz to 3.98 GHz spectrum allows Verizon to use different parts of the midband spectrum to achieve speeds similar to T-Mobile’s Ultra Capacity 5G network.
Verizon initially had to launch C-band with a bandwidth of 60MHz, but some industries that had previously used the spectrum paved the way. Verizon announced that it has begun deploying 100MHz C-band 5G in select regions ahead of a scheduled December 2023 availability thanks to agreements with satellite providers. This allowed speeds of up to 1.4 Gbps in his Verizon tests closer to the tower, and allowed him speeds of 500 Mbps further afield. In August 2023, the carrier announced that it had gained access to the remaining portion of its allocated frequencies ahead of schedule.
As more spectrum becomes available over the next few years, Verizon will have access to 140MHz to 200MHz of spectrum across the country. Verizon’s C-band network is poised to become the backbone of national coverage, and the carrier is on track to deliver high-speed 5G access nationwide.
Verizon’s mmWave network also continues to improve, with the carrier continually adding new cities. Services like 5G Home are helping people take full advantage of millimeter wave speeds, making it a great alternative to cable internet. This spectrum spans over 24 GHz and provides a huge open chunk, so it can support more simultaneous connections than LTE or his nationwide 5G.
Verizon’s 5G home internet service is also available to many people and uses the carrier’s ultra-wideband network to provide unlimited fixed home internet. By using modems mounted at or near windows, this network can deliver speeds that approach or exceed those offered by competing cable companies, especially for uploads. It’s also completely unlimited, unlike many cable providers. This means you can stream, game, and download without worrying about exceeding your limits. It’s a great option for streamers and cord cutters looking for the highest quality video.
Verizon 5G Home has two plans starting at $35/month and $45/month (both with automatic payments). If you’re a Verizon Wireless customer on one of their unlimited plans, you can get internet access for just $25 a month. The service comes with unlimited data and as fast as your network can provide, and also includes a free router. Cheaper plans come with a two-year price guarantee, while more expensive plans extend the warranty to three years.
Which device should I get to support 5G?
For the best experience on Verizon’s 5G network, you need a device that supports all of Verizon’s 5G bands. These bands include national 5G n5 and n66, C-band n77, and mmWave bands n260 and n261. Many of the best Android smartphones support nationwide 5G, but if you want to get the most out of the Verizon network, you’ll need a phone that supports C-band.
If you want to get some work done, there are several hotspots where you can access Verizon’s network. The Inseego MiFi X Pro 5G UW Hotspot supports all of Verizon’s 5G networks, so you can get the fastest speed possible.
What plan do I need for access?
All Verizon plans come with access to the nationwide 5G network at no additional charge. If you have a phone that supports the network, you can access it without changing your plan or paying any additional fees. Still, you can get the most out of your 5G phone by choosing one of the best cell phone plans with plenty of premium data.
Ultra Wideband is now included in Verizon’s Unlimited Plus and Unlimited Ultimate plans, which also come with 30 GB and 60 GB of premium mobile hotspot data, respectively. Both unlimited plans are available on Apple One as well as various bundled streaming services, including Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, and Max (with ads).
The starter Unlimited Welcome plan only gives you access to nationwide 5G networks, does not include premium or hotspot data, and has no streaming benefits. It won’t take full advantage of your 5G network, but if you just want to know the basics, this is a good place to start.
| Header Cell – Column 0 | unlimited welcome | unlimited plus | unlimited ultimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited premium data | no | yes | yes |
| 5G access | Nationwide | Nationwide and ultra-wideband | Nationwide and ultra-wideband |
| LTE/National 5G hotspot | none | 30GB | 60GB |
| talk and text messages | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited |
| LTE/National 5G video | Up to 480p (SD) | Up to 720p (HD) | Up to 1080p (Full HD) |
| mexico and canada | talk, text, data | talk, text, data | talk, text, data |
| apple one | Not applicable | Not applicable | Available |
| Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ | Not applicable | Available | Not applicable |
| Netflix, Max (with ads) | Not applicable | Available | Not applicable |
| Walmart+ | Available | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| home internet | Just $40/month | Just $25/month | Just $25/month |
Is 5G worth it for most people?
If you bought a new phone within the past few years, there’s a good chance it supports 5G. While many people have no problem with the speeds provided by the best LTE networks, there is a limit to how much a network can support, and as usage increases, networks evolve to support more data. I needed to let it happen.
Even if you’re happy with your non-5G device, 5G isn’t a reason to upgrade. There’s a good chance you’ll be perfectly fine with your old LTE network until you’re ready to upgrade for other reasons. But if you’re ready to upgrade, your next smartphone might actually support 5G, especially since the best Android smartphones and even many affordable options (like the Google Pixel 7a) support 5G. Must be supported.
5G UWB network with add-ons
If you’re ready to try one of the fastest 5G networks in the U.S., one of Verizon’s unlimited plans is worth considering. You can also bundle it with streaming services like Hulu and Netflix.
