Verizon’s CEO expects 5G to cowl 50% of the nation subsequent 12 months.
Angela Lang/CNET
Verizon simply introduced 4 new 5G cities Thursday, however it nonetheless could be very early days. In a brand new interview, CEO Hans Vestberg says that 2020 must be the large 12 months for the brand new community know-how.
“That, I believe, goes to be subsequent 12 months,” Vestberg instructed CNBC when requested when he expects 50% of the inhabitants to have entry to 5G. Though entry to 5G might dramatically develop subsequent 12 months, it will not be till 2024 when Vestberg thinks half of the US inhabitants can be carrying 5G telephones, crediting the facility of present 4G LTE gadgets.
It’s unclear if Vestberg meant that 50% of the US could have entry to Verizon’s millimeter wave (mmWave) 5G or if the corporate can be utilizing different bands of spectrum to cowl the remainder of the nation.
AT&T and T-Cellular have already introduced plans for nationwide 5G networks subsequent 12 months, however they plan to take action with a mix of wider-ranging — however slower — lowband and midband spectrum along with the sooner, higher-frequency millimeter wave.
Whereas the quickest of the three flavors of 5G, millimeter wave is the weakest relating to protection. It additionally struggles with penetrating into buildings and its high-frequency nature makes it troublesome in hotter temperatures.
Verizon has introduced plans to cowl over 30 markets with its speedy model of 5G this 12 months, the corporate hasn’t disclosed if it plans to deploy 5G over wider-ranging decrease bands and has as a substitute been maintaining its 5G plans in relative secrecy.
Verizon didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
