UPDATE -- Customers in Chicago and Minneapolis are First in the World to get 5G-Enabled Smartphones Connected to a 5G Network

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April 3, 2019 11:32 AM EDT

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Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network is the first commercial 5G network in the world that works with a 5G smartphone

General availability of the 5G moto mod starts today

NEW YORK, April 03, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Verizon officially turned on its 5G Ultra Wideband Network in select areas of Minneapolis and Chicago a week ahead of schedule. For the first time ever, customers can access a commercial 5G network with the world’s first commercially available 5G-enabled smartphone* , the moto z 3 combined with 5G moto mod. Customers using Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network in Chicago or Minneapolis could see speeds of up to 1 Gbps.

“Verizon customers will be the first in the world to have the power of 5G in their hands," said Hans Vestberg, Verizon’s chairman and chief executive officer. “This is the latest in our string of 5G firsts. Verizon launched the first commercial broadband 5G service last October, Verizon 5G Home, and now we’re lighting up our 5G Ultra Wideband network in Chicago and Minneapolis, providing the world’s first commercial 5G mobile service with a 5G-enabled smartphone.”

Starting today, consumers and businesses have a 5G network and a 5G-enabled smartphone that makes real-time a reality. Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband technology uses the global standard and new device hardware to deliver advanced capabilities to customers in real-time. While select areas of Chicago and Minneapolis will be the first to experience Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband mobility service, Verizon announced plans in February to launch its 5G service in more than 30 U.S. cities in 2019.

Service and Coverage Area Details

Early customers in Chicago and Minneapolis should expect typical download speeds of 450 Mbps, with peak speeds of nearly 1 Gbps, and latency less than 30 milliseconds. 5G is a new and rapidly evolving technology and Verizon expects regular improvement in 5G Ultra Wideband speed, latency and overall network performance as Verizon engineers, working with a number of technology partners, continue to upgrade the network. Customers can expect to see regular software updates pushed to their devices and see network advancements throughout the rest of the year.

In Chicago, 5G coverage is concentrated in areas of the West Loop and the South Loop, around landmarks like Union Station, Willis Tower, The Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park and The Chicago Theatre. Customers also have 5G Ultra Wideband service in the Verizon store on The Magnificent Mile and throughout The Gold Coast, Old Town and River North.

In Minneapolis, service is concentrated in the Downtown area, including Downtown West and Downtown East, as well as inside and around U.S. Bank Stadium, the site of this weekend’s NCAA men’s basketball Final Four. Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband service is also available around landmarks like the Minneapolis Convention Center, the Minneapolis Central Library, the Mill City Museum, Target Center and First Avenue venues, The Commons, areas of Elliot Park and in the Verizon store in The Mall of America.

When customers move outside Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband coverage area, the 5G moto mod hands off the signal to Verizon’s 4G LTE network, the nation’s best and most reliable 4G LTE network.

Get the world’s first 5G-enabled smartphone today

Verizon is the leader in 5G and the moto z3 with 5G moto mod is the gateway to a 5G future. Customers simply snap the 5G moto mod to the back of a compatible Motorola z3 smartphone and experience the power of 5G for just $199.99 ($349.99 retail). Verizon postpaid customers with any Verizon unlimited plan, including Go Unlimited, Beyond Unlimited or Above Unlimited plan, get unlimited 5G data for an additional $10 per month (with the first three months of 5G data for free).

To buy a 5G moto mod, customers must either have an active moto z3 on their account or purchase a moto z3 at the same time as the 5G moto mod. Customers can also get a moto z3 for $10 a month for 24 months on Verizon’s device payment plan ($480 retail; 0% APR) if they add a new line or upgrade online**.

To order the 5G moto mod, visit verizonwireless.com/5g/phones. To learn more about Verizon’s 5G technology, visit verizonwireless.com/5g. For more information about Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband coverage area, visit vzw.com/support/5g-moto-mod-faqs.

*Moto z3 sold separately. Add 5G moto mod for $10/mo with Go, Beyond and Above unlimited plan. 5G Ultra Wideband available only in parts of select markets.**$480 device payment purchase required. Less $240 promo credit applied to account over 24 mos; promo credit ends if eligibility requirements are no longer met; 0% APR.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York City, generated revenues of $130.9 billion in 2018. The company operates America’s most reliable wireless network and the nation’s premier all-fiber network, and delivers integrated solutions to businesses worldwide. With brands like Yahoo, TechCrunch and HuffPost, the company’s media group helps consumers stay informed and entertained, communicate and transact, while creating new ways for advertisers and partners to connect. Verizon’s corporate responsibility prioritizes the environmental, social and governance issues most relevant to its business and impact to society.

VERIZON’S ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media contacts and other resources are available at www.verizon.com/about/news/. News releases are also available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/.

Media Contacts:Kevin King908.559.3491[email protected]Twitter: @kvnhkng

George Koroneos[email protected]201.787.6165Twitter: @GLKCreative

Andy Choi (Chicago)[email protected]312.502.2002Twitter: @dudeitsandychoi

David Weissmann (Minneapolis)[email protected]917.359.7215Twitter: @djweissmann