Verizon Achieves 5.5 Gig Download Speeds on 5G

Verizon has clocked an incredible 5.5Gbps of download speed on 5G tech, proving the company is positioning itself for a mobile future.

Speeds like that are fast enough to download 266 albums per minute or stream over 3,000 TV episodes per hour. They can also easily accommodate cutting-edge technologies like virtual reality (VR) gaming and artificial intelligence (AI).

Verizon used a virtualized RAN (vRAN) solution from Samsung and 6CC technology from MediaTek, a semiconductor manufacturer, to “shatter the speed barrier,” according to a press release from Verizon. The test combined six channels of sub 6 GHz spectrum on Samsung’s 5G Standalone Core.

“Customers expect the gold standard from Verizon and we work every day to do even better for them,” said Adam Koeppe, Senior Vice President of Technology Planning at Verizon. “We will continue to push the boundaries of our technology and drive innovation in our industry so our customers know they are always a step ahead of what’s next simply by being a Verizon customer.”

Can Verizon wireless customers get multi-gig data speeds?

Multi-gig speeds are not yet available to most Verizon wireless customers. According to November 2024 data from Ookla, Verizon offers median download speeds of 91.8Mbps on its 5G network. That’s only about 1.6% of 5Gbps.

Verizon promises speeds up to 300Mbps for 5G Home Internet subscribers and up to 1,000Mbps for 5G Home Internet Plus customers. That’s plenty of speed for the average household, but it doesn’t quite meet the definition of multi-gig.

Read our expert review of Verizon internet.

What’s in the future for Verizon 5G customers?

You can’t get multi-gig speeds on Verizon’s 5G network today, but that could change. Verizon is expecting mobile traffic to grow fourfold between now and 2030, and it’s getting ready.

In November 2024, the company announced it had deployed the first-ever interoperable multi-vendor O-RAN DAS system, which makes it possible for thousands of people to stay connected simultaneously in heavily congested places like sports stadiums. The company has also deployed ​​more than 130,000 O-RAN-capable radios nationwide.

The technical details are impressive, but real-world customer experience matters more.

In our most recent annual review, which combines thousands of data points about Verizon and competing internet providers, Verizon clocked in at seventh place overall. Not too shabby, but it gets better. For reliability, Verizon tied for second place nationwide.

Of course, that score combines mobile and Fios fiber internet from Verizon, so take it with a grain of salt. Still, it shows Verizon is committed to speed and technological innovation for its customers.

Can 5G go any faster than 5.5Gbps?

Yes, other companies have clocked faster 5G speeds.

In May 2023 in Barcelona, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75 modem achieved a download speed of 7.5Gbps with sub-6 GHz spectrum and said it had set a world record. About a year later, e& UAE in Dubai clocked a whopping 30.5Gbps download speed on its live 5G network.

How to get faster 5G data

The speed of your 5G data is highly dependent on your devices and your location. You’ll get faster speeds closer to a 5G tower, and they will be even faster if there are no obstructions like mountains, glass, or concrete.

If you have 5G home internet from Verizon, use the app to find the best spot for your standalone gateway. It will probably be near a window with line of sight to the nearest tower. If your gateway is already in the best possible position, consider upgrading to a 5G Home Internet Plus plan or upgrading your personal devices to take full advantage of 5G Ultra Wideband capabilities.

If you can’t get Verizon Fios or Verizon 5G where you live, there’s a good chance you can find a competing provider with fast speeds and reasonable prices.