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.
Nestlé has dismissed its CEO Laurent Freixe after an investigation into an undisclosed relationship with a direct subordinate. The company announced on Monday that the dismissal was effective immediately. An investigation found that Freixe violated Nestlé’s code of conduct. He had been CEO for a year. Philipp Navratil, a longtime Nestlé executive, will replace him. Chairman Paul Bulcke stated that the decision was necessary to uphold the company’s values and governance. Navratil began his career with Nestlé in 2001 and has held various roles, including CEO of Nestlé's Nespresso division since 2024.
Kraft Heinz is splitting into two companies a decade after they joined in a massive merger that created one of the biggest food companies on the planet. One of the companies will include brands such as Heinz, Philadelphia cream cheese and Kraft Mac & Cheese. The other will include brands like Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles and Lunchables. When the company formed in 2015 it wanted to capitalize on its massive scale, but shifting tastes complicated those plans, with households seeking to introduce healthier options at the table. Kraft Heinz's net revenue has fallen every year since 2020.
