U.S. operators T-Mobile US and Verizon today announced 5G news as they, and fellow competitor AT&T, race to roll out their nationwide next-generation networks.

T-Mobile said it completed a standalone (SA) 5G data session on a multi-vendor network. Nokia and Cisco provided the core, Ericsson provided the radio, and MediaTek provided the device.

The data session, which the operator called “the world’s first,” took place at T-Mobile US’ Bellevue, Washington lab. It’s significant because it’s SA 5G — as opposed to devices being connected to both a 5G and 4G LTE network simultaneously — and it used equipment from multiple vendors.

Neville Ray, CTO at T-Mobile US, called it a “major 5G breakthrough” in a statement. “5G brings a new era in wireless, and if our merger with Sprint is approved, the New T-Mobile will bring together the resources and vision necessary to ensure America has a network that’s second to none," he explained.

The data session announcement comes less than a week after the U.S. Department of Justice granted T-Mobile US approval to acquire Sprint — a deal that advances the operator’s 5G plans.

Meanwhile, Verizon launched its 5G "Ultra Wideband" service in four new U.S. cities. This means parts of Atlanta, Detroit, Indianapolis, and Washington, DC, now have access to Verizon’s 5G network that runs on millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum. They join Chicago; Denver; Minneapolis; Providence, Rhode Island; and St. Paul, Minnesota.

This service is available near public spaces like parks, monuments, museums, college campuses, and stadiums. The somewhat limited availability is due to the short-range propagation characteristics of the mmWave spectrum the carrier is using for its initial 5G launch. Verizon says the service will be available in more than 30 cities this year.

“Customers in these cities are at the forefront of game-changing technology, with access to download speeds and bandwidth that will power the future of consumer, business and government mobile applications,” said Kyle Malady, Verizon’s chief technology officer, in a statement. “Similarly, cities that embrace new technology, like 5G Ultra Wideband, have a leg up in competition to attract businesses and create jobs.”