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.
OpenAI has appointed Slack CEO Denise Dresser as its first chief of revenue. Dresser will oversee global revenue strategy and help businesses integrate AI into daily operations. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently emphasized improving ChatGPT, which now has over 800 million weekly users. Despite its success, OpenAI faces competition from companies like Google and concerns about profitability. The company earns money from premium ChatGPT subscriptions but hasn't ventured into advertising. Altman had recently announced delays in developing new products like AI agents and a personal assistant.
President Donald Trump says he will allow Nvidia to sell its H200 computer chip used in the development of artificial intelligence to “approved customers” in China. Trump said Monday on his social media site that he had informed China’s leader Xi Jinping and “President Xi responded positively!” There had been concerns about allowing advanced computer chips into China as it could help them to compete against the U.S. in building out AI capabilities. But there has also been a desire to develop the AI ecosystem with American companies such as chipmaker Nvidia.
U.S. sports betting is booming as NFL and college football fuel massive activity. BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt breaks down trends, growth, and what’s next.
President Donald Trump says a deal struck by Netflix last week to buy Warner Bros. Discovery “could be a problem” because of the size of the combined market share. The Republican president says he will be involved in the decision about whether federal regulators should approve the deal. Trump commented Sunday when he was asked about the deal as he walked the red carpet at the Kennedy Center Honors. The $72 billion deal would bring together two of the biggest players in television and film and potentially reshape the entertainment industry.
Disney's changes to a program for disabled visitors are facing challenges in federal court and through a shareholder proposal. The Disability Access Service program, which allows disabled visitors to skip long lines, was overhauled last year. Disney now mostly limits the program to those with developmental disabilities like autism who have difficulty waiting in lines. The changes have sparked criticism from some disability advocates. A shareholder proposal submitted by disability advocates calls for an independent review of Disney's disability policies. Disney plans to block this proposal, claiming it's misleading. It's the latest struggle by Disney to accommodate disabled visitors while stopping past abuses by some theme park guests.
