Verizon Commits to Deploying More 5G in the C-Band; “year-end goal is to expand that coverage number to 175 million”

By B.N. Frank

American opposition to 5G deployment has been ongoing for years due to various significant risks associated with it including aviation safety risks (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), cybersecurity risks (see 1, 2, 3, 4), environmental risks (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8), health risks (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8), privacy risks (see 1, 2, 3), weather forecasting satellite interference risks, and utility infrastructure interference risks.

Studies have also revealed that 4G is still better, more reliable, and safer than 5G (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7). Nevertheless, 5G expansion continues throughout the U.S., much of it being funded by the Biden Administration (see 1, 2). Last week AT&T announced it will be speeding up deployment by attaching small cells to existing streetlights. Today Verizon announced how it plans to increase coverage.

From Fierce Wireless:

As satellite companies clear out of C-Band, Verizon adding 5G coverage

By Sean Kinney, Editor in Chief

Verizon paying SES $170 million to accelerate C-Band clearing

Verizon in January activated its C-Band spectrum, won at auction in 2021, and immediately covered 100 million people with mid-band 5G. The year-end goal is to expand that coverage number to 175 million. And now, based on agreements that accelerate clearing of C-Band, Verizon is adding coverage this year in major metro markets, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Denver and Washington D.C.

Before being re-allocated for 5G mobile services by the FCC, C-Band was the domain of satellite operators. Phase 1 of the clearing process covered 46 partial economic areas. SES, a Luxembourg-based firm specialized in “global content connectivity solutions,” said in a press release it will earn $170 million from Verizon by accelerating Phase 2 clearing against a Dec. 5, 2023 deadline.

According to Verizon, the early clearance will allow it to deploy mid-band 5G “on at least 60 megahertz of spectrum and up to 100 megahertz of spectrum in some areas to at least 30 additional major markets,” such as those identified above.

Verizon has yet to adjust its year-end coverage goals figure, 175 million, but hinted to PCMag that a change could be coming.

Verizon EVP and President of Global Network and Technology Kyle Malady said in a statement, “We’ve been able to accelerate deployment because we’re driving more efficiency and coverage from the C-Band spectrum, leveraging opportunities like the one we are announcing today, and leveraging our already in place infrastructure…I have never experienced a network deployment move so quickly.”

T-Mobile US has touted its 5G network coverage advantage which is based on its 600 MHz Standalone 5G network, and its Non-Standalone network that uses 2.5 GHz spectrum acquired in the Sprint merger. Verizon and AT&T both spent billions on C-Band spectrum with the former aggressively working to operationalize that spectrum and augment limited mmWave 5G availability.

Opposition to 5G is worldwide. This has slowed and/or stopped deployment in some locations. Since 2017 doctors and scientists have asked for moratoriums on Earth and in space (see 1, 2) and the majority of scientists oppose deployment. Since 2018 there have been reports of people and animals experiencing symptoms and illnesses after it was activated (see 1, 2, 3, 4 ). In 2019 telecom executives testified that they had NO scientific evidence that 5G is safe. Some researchers have also suggested that deployment may be contributing to COVID-19 infections while others say it’s not. Nevertheless, there are health risks associated with 5G exposure as well as exposure to 4G and other sources of wireless Wi-Fi radiation (see 1, 2) and Electromagnetic Fields (aka “Electrosmog”). In fact, last year, a federal court ruled in favor of organizations and petitioners that sued the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for NOT adequately protecting Americans from wireless radiation exposure (including 5G).