UScellular teamed up with Nokia and Qualcomm to transmit data over a live 5G millimeter-wave network for more than 10 kilometers -- about six miles -- setting a world record and reaching speeds of one gigabit per second. The companies report that they could use the high-band spectrum to provide fixed wireless service.

Verizon leader Hans Vestberg defended the carrier's strategy of using high-band millimeter-wave spectrum for its early 5G launches after an analyst asked about potential spectrum shortages, saying the carrier will also rely on 3.5 GHz frequencies and other technologies to expand its network. Vestberg also said the continued growth of its fiber infrastructure will play a critical role in increasing revenues from business services.

Verizon will bring its 5G service to parts of New York City on September 26, the company said, making it the fourth major carrier to introduce 5G in the city. Hans Vestberg, the telecom's chief executive, said it remains committed to using high-band millimeter-wave technology, saying the carrier "can launch nationwide with millimeter wave."

Researchers at Canada's University of Waterloo touted development of lower-cost, low-power millimeter-wave network technology for internet of things applications aimed at exploiting high-band unlicensed spectrum that federal regulators have opened up for wireless applications. The scientists said they created a network they dubbed "mmX" that is powered by a Raspberry Pi processor.

The US is ahead of competing countries when it comes to 5G implementation, thanks to the wide availability of high-band millimeter-wave spectrum, says Ericsson's Thomas Noren. North and South Korea also have mmWave spectrum, but they lack the scaling capabilities US operators have, Noren adds.