Verizon expanded its 5G Ultra Wideband network to three more cities on Thursday. Now people in New York City, Panama City, Florida, and Boise, Idaho can hook up to the next generation wireless network. This brings the total number of Verizon's 5G-capable cities to 13.
But providing 5G is no easy feat. Verizon's access in the Big Apple is spotty with access only in select parts of Manhattan and the outer boroughs. The company has to physically add wireless cells around the city to provide strong signals for 5G-capable devices.
"We're building a new network, but it's a multi-purpose network as well," Brian Danfield, vice president of Verizon 5G commercialization, told Cheddar.
He says 5G will help users as they try to enjoy high-speed dependent technologies, from gaming to augmented or virtual reality. Verizon also touts that its 5G will let people get content in "near real-time."
So far, Verizon offers seven mobile devices that can access the network. A CNET writer tested it out before today's official announcement and was able to hit download speeds of 1.2 gigabytes-per-second with his Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G in midtown Manhattan.
"For us, being first is about getting the experience and technology to the consumer," says Danfield.
Right now AT&T is leading the way with 5G in 21 cities, but with today's announcement, Verizon is still ahead of Sprint (nine cities) and T-Mobile (six cities). Verizon plans to have 5G up and running in more than 30 cities by the end of this year and Danfield says Salt Lake City and Boston are next.
As it enters new markets, Verizon has been focusing on setting up 5G service in hyperlocal and heavily populated areas. Earlier this month the telecom giant teamed up with the NFL to offer 5G in 13 stadiums.
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Spain's government has fined Airbnb 64 million euros or $75 million for advertising unlicensed tourist rentals. The consumer rights ministry announced the fine on Monday. The ministry stated that many listings lacked proper license numbers or included incorrect information. The move is part of Spain's ongoing efforts to regulate short-term rental companies amid a housing affordability crisis especially in popular urban areas. The ministry ordered Airbnb in May to remove around 65,000 listings for similar violations. The government's consumer rights minister emphasized the impact on families struggling with housing. Airbnb said it plans to challenge the fine in court.
Roomba maker iRobot has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, but says that it doesn’t expect any disruptions to devices as the more than 30-year-old company is taken private under a restructuring process. iRobot said that it is being acquired by Picea through a court-supervised process. Picea is the company's primary contract manufacturer. The Bedford, Massachusetts-based anticipates completing the prepackaged chapter 11 process by February.
Serbia’s prosecutor for organized crime has charged a government minister and three others with abuse of position and falsifying of documents related to a luxury real estate project linked to U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. The charges came on Monday. The investigation centers on a controversy over a a bombed-out military complex in central Belgrade that was a protected cultural heritage zone but that is facing redevelopment as a luxury compound by a company linked to Kushner. The $500 million proposal to build a high-rise hotel, offices and shops at the site has met fierce opposition from experts at home and abroad. Selakovic and others allegedly illegally lifted the protection status for the site by falsifying documentation.
