U.S. Cellular customers in the Fort Dodge area will see faster download and upload speeds with access to the company’s new 5G network.

U.S. Cellular, the fifth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the U.S., announced on Friday that it had turned on its 5G network for 5G-ready Samsung Galaxy S20 5G, S20+ 5G and S20 Ultra 5G devices.

Algona, Charles City, Clear Lake, Fort Dodge, Iowa Falls, Mason City, Waterloo, Waverly and Webster City join other cities across Iowa with access to the U.S. Cellular 5G network.

This initial deployment covers parts of the following northern Iowa cities: Ackley, Algona, Blairsburg, Charles City, Clear Lake, Cresco, Denver, Dike, Eagle Grove, Elberon, Evansdale, Fort Dodge, Fredericksburg, Grundy Center, Hampton, Iowa Falls, Janesville, Lake City, La Porte City, Manson, Mason City, Nashua, New Hampton, New Hartford, Raymond, Reinbeck, Rockwell City, Sumner, Tripoli, Waterloo, Waverly and Webster City.

According to U.S. Cellular representatives, additional 5G coverage will be added to enhance the network experience for Iowa U.S. Cellular customers in the future.

“U.S. Cellular brings fairness to wireless by introducing 5G coverage to our northern Iowa customers with even faster data connection speeds for a better experience on city streets, country roads and in their homes,” said Mike Adams, U.S. Cellular’s director of sales for Iowa and Nebraska. “We encourage our new and current customers to check out the Galaxy S20 line of smartphones, so they can benefit as we expand our 5G network.”

The multi-year network expansion for 5G in Iowa is a result of previous network investments to modernize equipment and software.

In 2019, U.S. Cellular invested nearly $74 million in 5G upgrades to enhance the network experience for Iowa residents.

The 5G-ready Samsung Galaxy S20 smartphones are compatible with U.S. Cellular’s current 4G LTE network.

The company will enhance its product portfolio by introducing new 5G smartphones, 5G connected devices, IoT solutions and other customer value added products throughout 2020.

U.S. Cellular, headquartered in Chicago, said it is bringing fairness to wireless by building its 5G network in both urban and rural areas.

“This initial 5G network deployment is on the company’s 600 MHz spectrum and will provide customers in hundreds of Iowa and Wisconsin communities with faster data speeds, seamless video chatting and a more responsive mobile experience,” Adams said. “It’s the first phase of a planned multi-year network expansion for 5G across its customer footprint.”

A 5G coverage map is available at https://www.uscellular.com/coverage-map. It will be continue to be updated as more 5G network coverage is added.