5G Nationwide and Ultra Wideband mobile networks FAQs

The 5G Ultra Wideband network uses the high-band, ultra-wide millimeter wave spectrum to deliver the best 5G experience available today.

The ultrafast speeds and reduced lag time (a.k.a. latency) can give smartphones new capabilities for multi-player gaming on the go, streaming 4K movies and video, chatting in HD and more. And with its massive bandwidth, 5G Ultra Wideband will be able to support many more devices of the future.

5G Ultra Wideband is available only in parts of select cities. Learn more about 5G Ultra Wideband availability.

5G Nationwide uses a different, low-band spectrum that involves Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS). DSS technology lets 5G service run simultaneously with 4G LTE on multiple spectrum bands.

With DSS, if you move outside Verizon's high-band Ultra Wideband coverage area, your 5G-enabled devices stay on 5G technology using the lower bands. By deploying both technologies together, Verizon can use its full portfolio of current spectrum resources to serve both 4G and 5G customers, maximizing your 5G experiences on the Verizon network.

5G Nationwide is available in 2,700+ cities. Learn more about 5G Nationwide.

To see available 5G-capable Ultra Wideband* and 5G Nationwide** smartphones and devices, visit our 5G phones and devices page.

*5G Ultra Wideband available only in parts of select cities. Requires 5G Ultra Wideband-capable device inside the 5G Ultra Wideband coverage area.
**5G Nationwide is available in 2,700+ cities. 5G Nationwide access requires a 5G Nationwide-capable device, which automatically connects when you’re in a 5G coverage area. Most devices manufactured in 2020 require you to download a software update that adds the 5G Nationwide capability. The software updates will begin to roll out to capable devices in the weeks and months following the 5G Nationwide announcement on 10/13/20. View a list of eligible devices.

5G Nationwide is available in 2,700+ cities. In these areas, 5G-enabled devices show a 5G icon instead of a 4G LTE icon on the device screen. (When you’re using data in a 5G Ultra Wideband coverage area the 5G UW icon displays.)

When you're using data in an area not covered by 5G Nationwide, your device automatically shifts to our 4G LTE network.

Visit our Verizon 5G network coverage map.

As of 10/13/20, all Verizon monthly mobile plans and prepaid plans include access to our 5G Nationwide network*.

• This change doesn't affect your plan’s data amount. Your device still receives 4G LTE and, if you have a 5G-enabled device, can access the 5G Nationwide network when available.
• 5G Nationwide usage counts toward monthly data and mobile hotspot allowances.

Prepaid plans: Those with prepaid plans can access 5G Nationwide with a 5G Nationwide-capable device. Learn more about prepaid plans and 5G.

*5G Nationwide is available in 2,700+ cities. 5G Nationwide access requires a 5G Nationwide-capable device, which automatically connects when you’re in a 5G coverage area. Most devices manufactured in 2020 require you to download a software update that adds the 5G Nationwide capability. The software updates will begin to roll out to capable devices in the weeks and months following the 5G Nationwide announcement on 10/13/20. View a list of eligible devices.

5G Ultra Wideband* is available only in parts of select cities. View our coverage map to see where the 5G Ultra Wideband mobile network is available.

*Requires 5G Ultra Wideband-capable device inside the 5G Ultra Wideband coverage area.

Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband* service is available in parts of these NFL stadiums and indoor arenas:

• Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City Chiefs (Kansas City, MO)
• Broncos Stadium at Mile High – Denver Broncos (Denver, CO)
• CenturyLink Field – Seattle Seahawks (Seattle, WA)
• Chase Center (San Francisco, CA)
• Ford Field – Detroit Lions (Detroit, MI)
• Gillette Stadium – New England Patriots (Foxborough, MA)
• Hard Rock Stadium – Miami Dolphins (Miami, FL)
• Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis Colts (Indianapolis, IN)
• MetLife Stadium – NY Jets and NY Giants (East Rutherford, NJ)
• Moda Center (Portland, OR)
  
• M&T Bank Stadium – Baltimore Ravens (Baltimore, MD)
• NRG Stadium – Houston Texans (Houston, TX)
• Soldier Field – Chicago Bears (Chicago, IL)
• Talking Stick Resort Arena (Phoenix, AZ)
• U.S Bank Stadium – Minnesota Vikings (Minneapolis, MN)

5G Ultra Wideband Service is concentrated in the lower seating area but could be available in other locations in and around the stadium as well.

When you move outside Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband coverage area, the 5G-enabled devices hand off the signal to Verizon's 4G LTE / 5G Nationwide network. In some cities the stadium will be the only place with Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband service, offering you a unique 5G experience you can't get anywhere else in your local area.

*Requires 5G Ultra Wideband-capable device inside the 5G Ultra Wideband coverage area.

Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband network is the first network to make real-time a reality with ultra-fast speeds, ultra-low lag times, and capacity to support more devices in the same place and time. "Real-time" means unprecedented performance to do things that were never possible before:

• Instant View: Stream 4K movies with virtually no buffering.
• True Chat: Video chat in HD with near zero lag.
• Responsive Gaming: Console quality multi-player gaming you can play on the go.
• Flash Loading: Downloads that used to take minutes now take seconds.
• Real Response: Augmented reality that responds in near real-time.

5G smartphones and 5G moto mod

If you have a 5G smartphone or a 5G moto mod connected to a compatible Motorola smartphone, you can access the 5G Ultra Wideband network on a 5G smartphone through 5G Ultra Wideband Unlimited plans.

5G Ultra Wideband access is included:

• Free if you got these plans on or after 8/20/20 – Get More Unlimited, Do More Unlimited, Play More Unlimited.
• Free if you got these plans before 8/20/20 – Get More Unlimited, Do More Unlimited, Play More Unlimited, Above Unlimited*, Beyond Unlimited*.
• For an additional $10/month with Start Unlimited if you choose optional 5G Ultra Wideband access.
• Free with the current $75 Prepaid Unlimited Plus plan.***
  

Connected devices

The Unlimited Plus connected device plan connects your 5G-capable laptop, tablet, jetpack, MiFi or Hotspot to the 5G Ultra Wideband network. The Unlimited Plus plan can also be used by 4G connected devices and offers double the premium 4G LTE data as compared to the Unlimited plan.

5G Jetpack

You can access the 5G Ultra Wideband network with a 5G Jetpack on the Unlimited Plus plan.

*No longer available to add to your account.
**5G Nationwide is available in 2,700+ cities. 5G Nationwide access requires a 5G Nationwide-capable device, which automatically connects when you’re in a 5G coverage area. Most devices manufactured in 2020 require you to download a software update that adds the 5G Nationwide capability. The software updates will begin to roll out to capable devices in the weeks and months following the 5G Nationwide announcement on 10/13/20. View a list of eligible devices.
***5G Ultra Wideband available only in parts of select cities. 5G Ultra Wideband access requires a 5G-capable device inside the 5G Ultra Wideband Coverage Area. Downloads over 5G Ultra Wideband. Depending on location, uploads over 5G Ultra Wideband or 4G LTE.