Verizon and Samsung get 5G boost

(Image credit: Jamie Carter)

Verizon and Samsung have been boosted by the news that the latter’s high-band spectrum 5G system has been certified by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), paving the way for a commercial launch later this year.

The Samsung equipment is the first such system to receive FCC approval and covers access units as well as indoor and outdoor routers that will power the fixed wireless access (FWA) service.

Verizon and Samsung have already held 5G trials across seven US cities in 2018 and the operator will launch 5G FWA in Sacramento in the second half of this year.

Upgrades

Samsung’s system uses Verizon’s proprietary 5G Technology Forum (5GTF) standard, according to Mobile World Live, but this can be upgraded either via software or hardware to industry-wide 3GPP standards.

Verizon’s FWA service will use the 28GHz millimetre wave (mmWave) band and will compete with traditional home broadband services. The operator plans to launch a mobile 5G network as early as six months later, once the first 5G smartphones are made available.

Rival AT&T also has 5G plans in the works, while T-Mobile and Sprint claim their proposed merger will allow for the creation of a truly national 5G network because of their low-level spectrum assets with long-range.

The US is keen to retain the leadership position it established in 4G as the industry moves onto 5G, and is competing in a global race with China, Japan and South Korea.

For Samsung 5G is a chance to transform its network equipment division into a major player that can compete with Ericsson, Huawei and Nokia.

Want to find out more about 5G? Check out our dedicated 5G hub   

TOPICS

Steve McCaskill is TechRadar Pro's resident mobile industry expert, covering all aspects of the UK and global news, from operators to service providers and everything in between. He is a former editor of Silicon UK and journalist with over a decade's experience in the technology industry, writing about technology, in particular, telecoms, mobile and sports tech, sports, video games and media. 

Latest in Phone & Communications
GlocalMe KeyTracker
When I tested this global tracker, it trounced the Apple AirTag in so many ways
Privacy Hero II
I tested this secure router and the bundled year of VPN service feels mostly like a marketing exercise
ThinkPhone 25 by Motorola
I reviewed the ThinkPhone 25 by Motorola and while it's not as fast as its predecessor, it's the superior phone in so many ways
FRITZ!Box 7690 WiFi 7 Router
FRITZ!Box tries to embrace both business and home customers with its new 7690 router
Ulefone Armor Pad 4 Ultra Thermal
Other than screen reflection, I’m still looking for the downside to the Ulefone Armor Pad 4 Ultra Thermal tablet
Unihertz Tank Pad 8849
Carrying the Unihertz Tank Pad 8849 provided me with a full workout
Latest in News
Brad Pitt looks over his right shoulder with 'F1' written behind him
Apple Original Films will take you behind-the-scenes of a racing cockpit in this new thrilling F1 movie trailer
AI writer
Coding AI tells developer to write it himself
Reacher looking down at another character from the Prime Video TV series Reacher
Reacher season 3 becomes Prime Video’s biggest returning show thanks to Hollywood’s biggest heavyweight
Image showing detail of the Leica D-Lux 8
Still can't get a Fujifilm X100VI? This premium Leica compact costs less, and it's in stock
Man using iMessage on an iPhone
Apple will finally enable encrypted RCS messages between iOS and Android, and it's about time
Google Messages update
Google Messages could soon follow WhatsApp with an upgrade that makes it much easier to join group chats