Verizon Wireless will offer consumers in Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, and Sacramento 5G service beginning October 1. Verizon is calling its new offering Verizon 5G Home, which is its fixed 5G service that will act as a replacement for in-home broadband, cable, or fiber. Verizon's mobile 5G service, which will offer access to phones, tablets, and other mobile devices, won't launch until 2019. For now, Verizon says its 5G Home service can offer peak download speeds of 1 Gbps and average speeds of 300 Mbps. The service costs $50 per month for Verizon Wireless subscribers, taxes and fees included, or $70 per month for non-Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon says the service will be available with no data caps at launch. Verizon is offering freebees to early adopters. For example, Verizon's fixed 5G service includes three months of free access to YouTube TV, and a free Apple TV 4K or Google Chromecast Ultra device. Verizon will install all the necessary equipment for free, including WiFi devices and routers, as well as provide dedicated support to 5G customers. People who jump on Verizon's 5G fixed service will have first access to 5G mobile devices when they launch. Verizon calls its 5G network "5G ultra wideband." It relies on Verizon's extensive fiber-based backhaul network, a large number of small cells, and mmWave spectrum. Of note is that Verizon 5G Home is not based on the 5G NR standard. Instead, Verizon is using its proprietary 5G TF standard, which is ready now. The 3GPP 5G NR standard is not yet being incorporated into commercial gear. As such, once 5G NR gear becomes more widely available, Verizon will upgrade 5G Home customers' equipment at no charge. Starting September 13, consumers can sign up to become "First On 5G Members." Signing up puts you on the list for in-home 5G service when it launches October 1, and ensures people who live outside of the launch markets will be kept up to speed on when 5G fixed and mobile service will arrive in their neighborhood.


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