Verizon starts selling Xbox consoles as another example of 5G ‘innovation’

Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge

Did you know that it's possible to buy a game console fromVerizon? The carrier has stocked the PS5 on its online store at times, and today it announced a partnership with Microsoft that will allow it to offer both the Series X and Series S through the All Access monthly financing program.

Both will be available on July 28th, and you can get a 50 percent discount on the Elite 2 controller if you buy an XBOX subscription from your phone company.

This isn't strange to the people who work for the company. If you will mostly be playing from the couch, the company says its home internet offerings are the best solution. If you want to take advantage of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and pick up the action on your phone or tablets, you can get a 5G mobile data plan fromVerizon. There are game pads that attach to your phone.

It's a sensible move, but the press release goes too far by proclaiming "Today's announcement that we're joining forces with Microsoft builds on the promise of 5G growth and innovation across multiple platforms, including mobility, nationwide broadband and the most popular." Signing people up for a financing program isn't consequential for the progression of 5G

The monthly payments for Xbox All Access start at $24.99 a month and are handled by Affirm. All Access is included with your monthly bill. Carriers keep finding ways to increase those. On July 28th, the Xbox Series X / S consoles will be available in select stores.