Verizon has launched its first 5G hotspot device today, giving users in select US cities the ability to take advantage of the next-generation cellular network. This also means Verizon customers will be able to try out 5G with an iPhone before Apple includes built-in 5G modems expected in 2020.
After teasing its release at the end of last year, Verizon announced the launch of its first 5G hotspot today, the Inseego MiFi M1000:
The other four 5G enabled devices that work with Verizon service are Android smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G. Notably, Apple isn’t expected to include built-in 5G functionality until 2020. However, today’s 5G hotspot release means Apple users can try out the latest cellular network on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
The Inseego MiFi M1000 costs $650 outright and Verizon also offers a payment plan to bring the price down to $27/month. Alternately, there’s a two-year contract option that brings the price down to $500.
For service, users can add 50GB worth of 5G data for the hotspot to an existing Unlimited smartphone plan for $30 (50GB for 5G downloads, 4G LTE still used for uploads and downloads when 5G not available). That’s $10 more than a 4G hotspot plan.
Speeds will be reduced to 3Mbps after the 50GB data cap of 5G data, with the 4G speeds throttling to 600Kbps after the 15GB cap.
Here’s how the business plan will work for the new 5G hotspot:
For business plans, 5G speeds will be reduced to 200Kbps after the 35GB cap.
Verizon has also announced that St. Paul, Minnesota now has 5G service in parts of the city.
St. Paul joins Minneapolis, Denver, Chicago, and Providence as the other early cities to experience 5G. Verizon is planning to roll out 5G coverage to 30 cities in total by the end of the year.
When customers move outside Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband coverage area, the 5G-enabled devices, including the mobile hotspot, hand the signal to Verizon’s 4G LTE network, the network more people rely on.
What do you think? Does this hotspot sound like an enticing way to try out 5G with your Apple devices? Or will you wait until the new cellular standard is more widely rolled out? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
