For a candidate networking technology tailor-made for fixed and wireless video, 5G TV use cases are to-date somewhat surprisingly underdeveloped but this may be about to change through what US comms giant Verizon is to offer the field.
The telecoms behemoth has revealed that it is to offer leading video services Apple TV 4K and YouTube TV as part of 5G residential broadband packages in key markets, namely the cities of Indianapolis, Houston, Los Angeles and Sacramento.This means that users will have the opportunity to access the likes of 4K HDR films and TV shows from Apple iTunes, Netflix, and Prime Video, and also through YouTube TV live programming from over 60 networks, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, plus popular cable networks like TNT, TBS, CNN, ESPN, AMC, and FX, and local sports networks from NBC Sports, FOX Sports, and NESN in select areas.
Verizon says that it is on track to be the first wireless technology provider to deploy 5G residential broadband and 5G mobile services in the United States. The company expects home internet installations to begin in the four cities in the second half of 2018 and as 5G-compatible mobile devices become available in early 2019, Verizon plans to gain first-mover advantage.
