Verizon today announced the launch of its Frontline Network Slice – Connected Vehicle, a new offering that leverages 5G Standalone (SA) technology to provide public safety agencies with dedicated network resources. This marks a major milestone in Verizon’s ongoing efforts to enhance mission-critical communications through advanced network slicing capabilities.

The Frontline Network Slice – Connected Vehicle is designed to deliver reliable, high-performance in-vehicle connectivity for first responders, creating an enhanced mobile work environment and ensuring consistent access to mission-critical services. According to Verizon, the new service enables first responders to operate more efficiently in the field, particularly in data-intensive or time-sensitive scenarios.

"This solution provides dedicated network capacity for public safety vehicles, helping ensure that mission-critical communications are prioritized and always available when they are needed most," Verizon stated in its official materials.

Currently, the solution supports deployment via Ericsson Cradlepoint R980 routers, and is available in 29 U.S. markets including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Salt Lake City, Denver, and Miami—utilizing Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network. Verizon emphasized that this list is not exhaustive and represents only the initial phase of a broader nationwide rollout.

Importantly, Verizon confirmed that eligible public safety agencies will not incur additional costs for the slicing service. The Frontline Network Slice will be included in current 5G Ultra Wideband plans, reinforcing the company’s commitment to supporting first responders with cutting-edge technology at accessible pricing.

Verizon has been developing 5G network slicing capabilities for public safety over the past several years. In 2023, Maggie Hallbach, President of Verizon Frontline, highlighted future use cases such as drone communications, which demand low-latency and encrypted connections. Earlier this year, the company conducted a successful 5G network slicing field demonstration for public safety in Phoenix, Arizona. The rollout of “Enhanced Video Calling” for Apple iPhones—powered by network slicing—further demonstrated Verizon’s commitment to innovation in this space.

Verizon’s implementation of 5G SA—a foundational requirement for network slicing and other advanced features such as Voice over New Radio (VoNR)—represents a long-anticipated evolution in its 5G strategy. While the company initially aimed to launch SA in 2020, it wasn’t until late 2023 that commercial readiness began to take shape.

Industry Landscape

Verizon’s announcement follows similar developments from industry peers. T-Mobile, which launched its SA 5G core in 2022, recently introduced T-Priority, a 5G slicing service tailored for first responders. Recent testing by Signals Research Group (SRG) in New York City showed that T-Mobile’s T-Priority led in overall network and data experience compared to Verizon Frontline and AT&T’s FirstNet.

As public safety agencies continue to demand higher performance and reliability from their communications infrastructure, Verizon’s Frontline Network Slice aims to set a new standard in mission-critical connectivity.