Sprint is planning to launch a 5G network in DC next year

D.C. will be among the cities where Sprint initially activates a 5G network.

The communications giant said that it plans to launch the mobile network with “blazing fast” speeds in the first half of 2019, but didn’t specify the launch date further. A total of nine markets will be part of the initial rollout, with more coming in the future. Washington Business Journal first reported the news locally.

In D.C., it has already deployed Massive MIMO technology, which Sprint said are cell sites capable of handling 10 times the capacity of LTE networks. Speeding up 5G deployment has also been a talking point in Sprint’s $26 billion merger deal with T-Mobile.

Along with locations, Sprint also indicated it is readying a device to connect to the network. The company is working with electronics maker LG on a 5G smartphone. Device details are still under wraps, but Sprint said “graphic-heavy videos and high speed games will play without delays, hiccups or lag-time.”

“Today’s announcement brings us one step closer to putting a beautifully designed, advanced 5G smartphone in our customers’ hands,” said Sprint CTO John Saw said in a statement.

The major wireless carriers are in a race to launch 5G. Last year, Verizon included D.C. as a test market for its version of the technology, CNN reported.