The next-generation of high-speed Verizon cell networks is coming to more major cities. The company announced today that its 5G ultra wideband cell network is now available in Los Angeles, its 19th major city with coverage. This brings the company closer to its stated goal of bringing 5G to 30 cities by the end of 2019.

Los Angeles Verizon customers with 5G-enabled devices can expect to find service in parts of the city like Chinatown, Del Rey, Venice and the downtown area. The stated goal of this initial rollout phase is focus coverage on highly trafficked major landmarks, including Staples Center, Venice Beach, Grant Park and the Los Angeles Convention Center.

While the company is unlikely to meet its stated goal for the year, 2020 is expected to see a period of intense and wide-ranging growth for the service. Some of the promised cities that are still to receive support include Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Des Moines, Little Rock, Kansas City, Memphis, San Diego and Salt Lake City.

A handful of major smartphone models currently support 5G networks, including the LG V50 THINQ, Huawei Mate X, and the Samsung Galaxy S10, the latter of which was highlighted by Verizon as part of an announcement in April.

“The Galaxy S10 5G on Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network will give our customers access to incredible speeds and the latest and greatest streaming, augmented-reality, gaming, and consumer and business applications that bring us into a future powered by 5G,” Ronan Dunne, executive vice president and group president for Verizon, said in a statement.

While Verizon’s rollout of 5G has been slower and focused on major population areas, competitor T-Mobile recently launched nationwide 5G coverage, with a caveat. The latter’s 5G network currently offers speed only slightly better than 4G LTE.

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A logo sits illumintated outside the Verizon booth at the recent GSMA Mobile World Congress 2019. David Ramos/Getty Images
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