Verizon (NYSE:VZ) has entered a collaboration with IBM (NYSE:IBM) to work on 5G and edge computing solutions to enable Industry 4.0’s future. Meanwhile, the National Advertising Division has warned Verizon against making false claims regarding the coverage and speed of its 5G network.
Verizon and IBM collaborate on 5G and edge computing
Through the collaboration, the companies will combine Verizon’s low latency and high-speed 5G and the Multi-access Edge Compute capabilities, sensors at the edge, and IoT devices. This will be with the expertise of IBM in AI, edge computing, hybrid multi-cloud, and connected operations and asset management. Nowadays, most industrial enterprises are looking for ways of using edge computing to speed up access to almost real-time actionable understandings on operations to reduce costs and enhance productivity.
The first solutions from the collaboration will be mobile assets management and tracking solutions that help enterprises optimize the quality of production, improve operations, and help clients improve worker safety. The companies will leverage Verizon’s MEC capabilities, 5G Ultra wideband network, IoT Platform, and the critical Asset Sensor Solution. They will be co-offered with IBM’s Maximo Monitor with IBM Watson.
NAD takes issue with Verizon’s 5G network ads
The ads watchdog wants Verizon to cease making false claims about coverage of its 5G network. NAD, which runs the advertising industry and is part of the BBB National Programs, had an issue with two of Verizon’s TV ads. The ad’s issue is that the carrier is claiming that its 5G services are available nationwide and that users can enjoy fast speeds of 2 gigs. Verizon agreed to comply with the regulator’s recommendations and will stop making the claims.
Verizon uses mmWave 5G, which offers fast speeds, but its signals are easily blocked and have limited range. Even from the coverage maps, the network is concentrated in sidewalks and streets, and although it is available in 35 cities, it doesn’t mean consumers can get decent signals everywhere. However, NAD has faulted the claims of the company about the availability of the network nationwide.
