Verizon's $ 5 billion domestic broadband service has just been launched

Verizon has turned 5G into reality. Kind of.

Last month, Verizon unveiled plans for its 5G home broadband service called Verizon 5G Home. The installation started today, with customers in parts of Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles and Sacramento, California, able to order the service, which costs $ 50 for Verizon Wireless customers and $ 70 for non-Verizon Wireless customers.

Not everyone in these cities will be able to access the service, which, unlike 4G, is for the moment limited to home Internet service. To find out if you qualify and to register, visit Firston5G.com and enter your address. Consumers in other countries can subscribe to updates to Verizon's deployment plans.

This launch marks a milestone in the development of 5G and gives Verizon the right to boast of being the first operator in the world to embrace next-generation wireless technology. Kind of. The company has been able to evolve so quickly because its launch at the beginning of the 5G uses technology that does not meet industry standards. Critics will point out that this is not technically 5G despite its ability to provide high speeds. The company plans to expand into new markets as it moves to the 5G standard. Early customers will receive free upgrades to ensure they also pass industry standards. (Read about all shades of 5G.)

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As a result, the wireless race of this generation is a bit more complicated, and Verizon's leadership features an asterisk. While Verizon is the leading 5G provider of home broadband replacement services, it is limited to a few cities and a fixed home service. AT & T still plans to be the first to offer 5G as real mobile service from here the end of the yearalthough it is not clear how widespread this deployment will be. T Mobile promises to have a wider commercial service available early next year, and Sprint and LG promise the first 5G smartphone. Again, it's unclear what their coverage will look like at launch.

Verizon was the first in the United States to deploy a large 4G LTE network, which helped to consolidate its reputation for network quality over the next few years. The 5G promises to significantly increase speed over 4G and is considered a core technology for other areas such as autonomous cars and virtual and augmented reality streaming.

Verizon promises broadband speeds ranging from 300 megabits per second to 1 gigabit per second, or fast enough to download a Blu-ray movie in minutes. Carriers aim for maximum speeds on the mobile side to far exceed the 1 Gbps mark.

Verizon rolls out the red carpet for the first takers. His client "First on 5G" will receive a free installation, as well as three months of free service. Customers will also receive Chromecast or Apple TV 4K for free, as well as three months of free YouTube TV. They will also have priority when buying the first 5G mobile device. You do not have to be in the launch markets to be a "First on 5G" member.

"We are going to offer a revolutionary 5G experience that will change the way people live, work and play," said Kyle Malady, Verizon's Chief Technology Officer.

Verizon gave little details about the installation process. The company said there would be internal and external equipment depending on the construction of your house and the direction of the cell tower.

The company has spent the last few years testing the 5G service, although it has often missed its own deadlines. (He first wanted to commercially deploy the 5G in 2017.)

The story took place on September 11 at 11 am Pacific Time.

Update October 1st at 14:50 PT: To include the fact that the service was started.

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