dslreports logo
 story category
Verizon to Launch Faster Wireless, New TV Service in 3-5 Cities

Verizon says it will launch faster fifth generation (5G) wireless alongside with its long-awaited new streaming service in "three to five" markets later this year. With the company's Go90 streaming video service a bit of a dud, the company has been busy cooking up its own live streaming service in the hopes of competing with Dish's Sling TV and AT&T's DirecTV Now. But Verizon's efforts have consistently run into licensing issues with broadcasters, who are collectively nervous about killing the traditional cable TV cash cow too quickly.

Click for full size
Now, Verizon execs are making clear that its first 5G markets and this new over the top streaming service will be launched all at once sometime during the second half of 2018.

"We’re very much on track," to launch 5G wireless in three to five markets, CFO Matt Ellis said on an earnings call this week.

"We have moved into the deployment phase for the residential broadband launch in the second half of this year,” Ellis added, stating that "earlier this month, we performed successful, end-to-end 5G data sessions in these locations using commercial equipment that will be deployed in the launch later this year."

It's also pretty clear that Verizon wants to offer something that competes with AT&T's looming video and wireless plans, which will include offering a sports-free $15 streaming service dubbed AT&T Watch free to customers who subscribe to wireless.

"We continue to look at OTT options, and as we've said previously, we're not looking to launch a me-too product," the CFO said. "But, certainly, we expect to have an overall product offering to consumers in those three to five markets that will be compelling and meet their needs."

And with Verizon having lobbied hard for the death of net neutrality (should the repeal survive court challenge), there's an ocean of "creative" ways Verizon can try and give its own streaming service an advantage over a growing roster of competitors.

Most recommended from 8 comments


Purnerdyl00
join:2016-02-08
Queensbury, NY

2 recommendations

Purnerdyl00

Member

How much?

That will be the true question. I expect it to be expensive, and I don't think many 5G phones exist at all. Maybe Verizon will offer a phone themselves?