Verizon first carrier to rollout limited 5G network in DC
WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - Verizon rolled out its 5G network in parts of the District Wednesday, signaling wider 5G coverage is on its way to mobile phone users.
The network is available in portions of many D.C. neighborhoods as well as near landmarks like the U.S. Botanical Gardens, the Hart Senate building and the Smithsonians along the National Mall.
Verizon's 5G network will only work with 5G-enabled devices and in some cases with more expensive data plans.
Other carriers have said 2020 will be a big year for 5G, with many saying their 5G services will be available nationwide by then, according to CNET reporter Eli Blumenthal.
Blumenthal says in some cases 5G can be 20 times faster than 4G.
"We tested out Verizon 5G in Chicago we were able to download a movie like Wine Country off of Netflix in just 8.2 seconds, that's a 143-minute movie in HD in 8.2 seconds," said Blumenthal.
Blumenthal says in general, some of the more complex uses for 5G technology will take some time to develop.
"For some of these larger things that people are talking about like self-driving cars or robotic surgery that's still a while off," he said.