Verizon Communications Inc's 5G Network: Everything You Need to Know

By Chris Neiger – Sep 17, 2015 at 8:18AM

NYSE: VZ

Verizon Communications

Market Cap

$162B

Today's Change

(3.56%) $1.38

Current Price

$39.98

Price as of April 23, 2024, 1:21 p.m. ET

Verizon’s about to test out new, ultrafast 5G connections, but customers won’t reap the benefits until at least 2020.

Source: Verizon.

This month, Verizon Communications (VZ 3.56%) announced that it'll start testing out 5G connections sometime in 2016. It's the first time a U.S. wireless carrier has ventured into 5G testing, and it's no surprise that it's Verizon.

The carrier already the best-performing network in the country, according to RootMetrics, and will spend up to $18 billion this year to make it even better.

But Verizon's gearing up for the next wave of wireless and is working with other mobile players to help set standards. Customers won't see a 5G network until 2020 or later, but if the current expectations are correct, it'll be well worth the wait. Click through the slideshow below to find out more.

Chris Neiger has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Cisco Systems and Verizon Communications. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.