Verizon customers in Ames, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City are expected to have better wireless speeds, capacity and reliability now that the company has brought a 5G network online in Iowa.

The announcement Thursday said a 5G network will let people do things on their cellphones and other mobile devices that they could only previously do when connected to their home internet service: download large documents; stream movies with high definition audio and video quality; play "console quality games;" and use video chat and video conferencing software with clear sound and video on calls.

The company's new 5G Ultra Wideband network serves downtown Iowa City, the University of Iowa campus, the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area including the Collins Aerospace campus, downtown Ames and the Iowa State University campus.

Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, chair of the Iowa House Ways & Means Committee, celebrated the announcement in the news release and said the new network "will bring new benefits and possibilities to residents and visitors in Iowa, and I'm happy to see their continued support of our citizens and investment in our communities."

Dean Brauer, vice president of engineering and operations for Verizon, said network engineers are working to expand connectivity to customers across Ames, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and beyond, "and we will not slow down."

Verizon's 5G service is available to more than 200 million people.

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Phillip Sitter covers education for the Ames Tribune, including Iowa State University and PreK-12 schools in Ames and elsewhere in Story County. Phillip can be reached via email at psitter@gannett.com. He is on Twitter @pslifeisabeauty.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Verizon announces 5G network in Ames, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City