Verizon just took a big step forward for 5G: the company announced that it has successfully tested the Moto Z3 on a proper, commercial 3GPP 5G NR (New Radio) network — i.e., a real-world 5G test using a functional smartphone with the “real” 5G standard.
Verizon says it successfully tested 5G on the Moto Z3
The first major 5G test on a commercially available phone
The first major 5G test on a commercially available phone
Photo: Natt Garun / The Verge
According to Verizon, the test was conducted using a Moto Z3 with the promised 5G Moto Mod attachment (which, in turn, is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon X50 5G modem and the company’s QTM052 mmWave antennas). The cell carrier successfully tested browsing the internet and placing a video call on Verizon’s 28 GHz spectrum band, making this one of the first actual 5G tests in the mmWave area to be done on actual consumer hardware.
Photo: Verizon
Verizon showed off the achievement with a frustratingly terrible picture, which seems carefully shot to prevent any glimpse of the 5G Moto Mod (or whatever prototype of the final product the company is using). But there is a 5G logo right there in the status bar, for anyone who wants a first look at the future of networking.
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
