Are 5G stocks suitable for long-term investment?

Investors with multiyear investing horizons would be wise to consider 5G stocks since global 5G subscriptions are projected to rise steadily through 2030 -- and likely beyond.

How do 5G stocks differ from traditional telecom stocks?

5G stocks have a lot in common with traditional telecom stocks since they're facilitating the development of 5G networks, and they represent a large part of their businesses.

What company has the largest 5G network?

According to Statista, T-Mobile has the largest 5G coverage of any U.S carrier.

Do 5G stocks pay dividends?

Yes, many 5G stocks pay dividends. As of mid-March 2026, Verizon had a forward dividend yield of roughly 5.5% and AT&T was at 3.9%. REITS like American Tower (3.6%) and Crown Castle (5.0%) also offer attractive dividend yields.

Are there ETFs that focus on 5G technology?

Many ETFs that have concentrated exposure to telecom stocks also provide exposure to 5G. The Vanguard Communication Services ETF is one example.

What industries benefit most from 5G adoption?

Numerous businesses are finding it advantageous to adopt 5G technology. From manufacturing, where 5G technology helps facilitate smart factories, to healthcare, which relies on 5G to support telemedicine, 5G technology has demonstrated incredible value for a wide swath of industries.

Are there small-cap 5G stocks worth investing in?

While not as plentiful as large-cap stocks, there are some small-cap 5G stocks worth considering, such as Qorvo (NASDAQ:QRVO), a developer of RF components and filters that provide 5G connectivity.

Best 5G Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

By Scott Levine – Updated Mar 15, 2026 at 11:03 PM EST | Fact-checked by Frank Bass

Key Points

5G subscriptions projected to reach 6.3 billion by 2030, covering 67% of all mobile users.
Investing in semiconductor and infrastructure stocks can offer high growth in the 5G sector.
Upgrade cycle for 5G-compatible devices is a key investment theme extending beyond 2026.

5G stocks provide exposure to companies that develop, manufacture, or provide the infrastructure, equipment, software, and services necessary for fifth-generation (5G) wireless technology networks. Rapid construction of the 5G mobile network will continue in 2026.

According to mobile infrastructure provider Ericsson (ERIC +0.39%), global 5G subscriptions totaled about 2.9 billion at the end of 2025 and are projected to climb to 6.3 billion (about 67% of all mobile subscriptions) in 2030.

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A graphic showing three major industries in 5g tech, including semiconductors, equipment and infrastructure, and real estate. — Image source: The Motley Fool.

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Ticker Information Table
Name and ticker	Current price	Market cap	Dividend yield
Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO)	$322.16	$1.5 trillion	0.75%
Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM)	$129.82	$138.5 billion	2.74%
Marvell Technology (NASDAQ:MRVL)	$87.86	$76.8 billion	0.27%
Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD)	$193.14	$315.3 billion	0.00%
Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA)	$180.28	$4.4 trillion	0.02%

Data as of Mar 16, 2026. Showing 5 of 5 tickers.

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1. Broadcom

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NASDAQ: AVGO

Broadcom

Today's Change

(-4.11%) $-13.81

Current Price

$322.16

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$1.5T

Day's Range

$321.43 - $338.28

52wk Range

$138.10 - $414.61

Volume

1.5M

Avg Vol

30M

Gross Margin

64.96%

Dividend Yield

0.75%

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Chip design giant Broadcom (AVGO -4.11%) is a top name in 5G. Its circuitry designs can be found across the mobile network ecosystem. Included in this list of equipment are base stations that create wireless signals and network infrastructure that serves as the backbone of the internet. Broadcom also designs components that connect smartphones and other devices to wireless signals.

In recent years, Broadcom has made several acquisitions to expand its infrastructure management software operations. The segment assists customers with monitoring and securing their networks and cloud computing assets.

This has boosted the company's profit margins, as the software is often packaged with network hardware. Broadcom's free-cash-flow generation is incredible. In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, Broadcom reported $8 billion in free cash flow, a 33% increase over the same period in fiscal 2025.

A serial acquirer, Broadcom acquired cloud and networking hardware giant VMware in 2023 for $69 billion -- one of the largest acquisitions so far this decade. This resulted in the creation of a powerhouse in networking component design, spanning cloud computing, 5G, and infrastructure management software.

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2. Qualcomm

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NASDAQ: QCOM

Qualcomm

Today's Change

(-1.01%) $-1.33

Current Price

$129.82

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$139B

Day's Range

$129.22 - $133.41

52wk Range

$120.80 - $205.95

Volume

7.8M

Avg Vol

9.7M

Gross Margin

55.10%

Dividend Yield

2.74%

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Qualcomm's (QCOM -1.01%) product portfolio includes chips that enable 5G technology. Qualcomm has profited from the smartphone boom since the early 2000s by focusing on the tech behind 3G and 4G mobile networks. However, 5G is broadening the mobile chip designer's horizons and opening up opportunities in IoT devices, industrial equipment, new smartphones, cars, and even the modems that make up the 5G network.

The smartphone industry has matured, and unit sales no longer reliably post double-digit percentage growth. However, the 5G device upgrade boom is lifting Qualcomm's sales higher again. In addition, the automotive market is providing another source of growth. The company projects strong growth in the 5G market for automotive applications.

In its fiscal 2025 Form 10-K, Qualcomm cites research that finds "68% of new vehicles produced in 2030 are projected to have embedded cellular connectivity, with 48% of new vehicles featuring 5G connectivity compared to 21% in 2025." The company has ample cash -- about $7.2 billion at the end of Q1 2026 -- on its balance sheet to drive innovation in hardware, and it has consistently paid a dividend for almost two decades.

3. Marvell Technology Group

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NASDAQ: MRVL

Marvell Technology

Today's Change

(0.22%) $0.19

Current Price

$87.86

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$77B

Day's Range

$86.82 - $90.50

52wk Range

$47.09 - $102.77

Volume

14M

Avg Vol

16M

Gross Margin

50.10%

Dividend Yield

0.27%

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Marvell Technology Group (MRVL +0.22%) has long been a leader in developing data processing units (DPUs). Its chips are instrumental in moving large amounts of digital information in networking equipment and data centers. As mobile networks are increasingly used in enterprise applications, 5G has been a natural fit for Marvell's silicon portfolio.

To broaden its exposure to 5G, the cloud, and other business solutions, Marvell acquired Inphi and Innovium in 2021 and Tanzanite in 2022. The designers of fiber-optic and network-switching systems build on Marvell's existing DPU technology. As 5G technology advances and network deployment increases across markets around the globe, Marvell has a clear path to fast, sustained growth for years to come.

4. Advanced Micro Devices

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NASDAQ: AMD

Advanced Micro Devices

Today's Change

(-2.33%) $-4.60

Current Price

$193.14

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$315B

Day's Range

$192.27 - $199.66

52wk Range

$76.48 - $267.08

Volume

1.2M

Avg Vol

36M

Gross Margin

45.99%

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Advanced Micro Devices (AMD -2.33%) makes this list due to its early 2022 acquisition of Xilinx -- the industry leader in field-programmable gate array (FPGA) chips. FPGA chips can be reprogrammed and reconfigured at the hardware level even after they've been built. As new 5G hardware is developed, the adaptability of FPGA chips makes them ideal for building the basic equipment to deploy 5G technology.

The merger gives AMD access to a best-in-class research and development (R&D) department. Xilinx will also improve AMD's profitability since Xilinx's profit margins are far higher than those of some of the traditional AMD chips used in personal computers and data centers.

AMD remains at the forefront of 5G technology with its ZynUltraScale+ RFSoC (Radio Frequency System-on-Chip), which the company says enables "a flexible solution that is high performance, power-efficient, and cost-effective."

5. Nvidia

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NASDAQ: NVDA

Nvidia

Today's Change

(-1.56%) $-2.87

Current Price

$180.28

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$4.4T

Day's Range

$179.94 - $186.10

52wk Range

$86.62 - $212.19

Volume

Avg Vol

175M

Gross Margin

71.07%

Dividend Yield

0.02%

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Ticker Information Table
Name and ticker	Current price	Market cap	Dividend yield
Corning (NYSE:GLW)	$129.08	$110.8 billion	0.87%
Ciena (NYSE:CIEN)	$337.38	$47.7 billion	0.00%
Arista Networks (NYSE:ANET)	$133.48	$167.8 billion	0.00%

Data as of Mar 16, 2026. Showing 3 of 3 tickers.

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1. Corning

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NYSE: GLW

Corning

Today's Change

(-0.53%) $-0.69

Current Price

$129.08

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$111B

Day's Range

$128.46 - $133.16

52wk Range

$37.31 - $162.10

Volume

388K

Avg Vol

9.8M

Gross Margin

35.32%

Dividend Yield

0.87%

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Before it's turned into a high-speed Wi-Fi signal, 5G data must travel over the wired portion of the internet, just like other electronic data. That's where fiber-optic cable comes in, and Corning (GLW -0.50%), the legacy glass and ceramics manufacturer, is a major supplier.

Even as they deploy new radio towers, many telecoms providing 5G service also need to add more high-speed cable to their networks. Corning also builds small-cell antennas and accompanying software -- core components of 5G systems used in office buildings and venues such as sports arenas to deliver wireless signals. Corning has been around for a long time, but it has a long history -- 18 consecutive years of paying a dividend to its shareholders.

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2. Ciena

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NYSE: CIEN

Ciena

Today's Change

(0.16%) $0.55

Current Price

$337.38

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$48B

Day's Range

$334.50 - $353.25

52wk Range

$49.21 - $365.90

Volume

2.4M

Avg Vol

3.2M

Gross Margin

39.48%

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Ciena (CIEN +0.16%) is another company that sells fiber-optic equipment and network design services to communications companies. Ciena's profits from the expansion of 5G technology have enabled the company to increase cash reserves and repurchase stock. Along the way, it has developed new capabilities, including a software segment that helps telecoms manage their networks.

As organizations update their systems to support 5G, the company can provide the engineering design and materials needed to deploy next-generation mobility. After a sales slump early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Ciena is back in growth mode again. In the first quarter 2026, Ciena reported revenue $1.43 billion and adjusted earnings per share of $1.35, representing year-over-year growth of 33% and 111%, respectively.

It predicts its addressable market will expand by about $12 billion from 2023 to 2028, representing a compound annual growth rate of 20%.

3. Arista Networks

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NYSE: ANET

Arista Networks

Today's Change

(-0.41%) $-0.55

Current Price

$133.48

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$168B

Day's Range

$130.53 - $137.54

52wk Range

$59.43 - $164.94

Volume

225K

Avg Vol

7.8M

Gross Margin

64.06%

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Ticker Information Table
Name and ticker	Current price	Market cap	Dividend yield
American Tower (NYSE:AMT)	$184.04	$86.0 billion	3.69%
Crown Castle (NYSE:CCI)	$87.47	$38.1 billion	6.65%
Digital Realty Trust (NYSE:DLR)	$179.69	$61.7 billion	3.40%

Data as of Mar 16, 2026. Showing 3 of 3 tickers.

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1. American Tower

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NYSE: AMT

American Tower

Today's Change

(2.32%) $4.18

Current Price

$184.04

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$86B

Day's Range

$181.72 - $184.50

52wk Range

$166.88 - $234.33

Volume

113K

Avg Vol

3.2M

Gross Margin

55.00%

Dividend Yield

3.69%

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Operating a portfolio of almost 150,000 communications sites worldwide, American Tower (AMT +2.32%) is one of the largest REITs and a top real estate company in tech. It primarily concerns itself with the land, buildings, and cell tower sites that are crucial to the operation of both mobile networks and internet infrastructure.

American Tower also establishes fiber-optic networks that connect 5G small cell sites to the rest of the internet. This is a critical service for mobile network operators as more consumers and businesses rely on a mobile service for their internet use.

2. Crown Castle

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NYSE: CCI

Crown Castle

Today's Change

(2.85%) $2.42

Current Price

$87.47

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$38B

Day's Range

$85.92 - $87.65

52wk Range

$77.01 - $115.76

Volume

2.2M

Avg Vol

3.4M

Gross Margin

58.05%

Dividend Yield

6.65%

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Crown Castle (CCI +2.75%) is much smaller than American Tower. Still, it is a leading North American communications infrastructure property manager. It operates more than 40,000 cell towers and has about 90,000 miles of fiber, including a fast-growing portfolio of small cell nodes for 5G deployment.

Some industries are growing faster than real estate. However, Crown Castle offers its shareholders the potential for income and growth as the 5G industry develops.

3. Digital Realty Trust

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NYSE: DLR

Digital Realty Trust

Today's Change

(0.28%) $0.51

Current Price

$179.69

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$62B

Day's Range

$179.26 - $181.83

52wk Range

$129.95 - $184.79

Volume

79K

Avg Vol

2.1M

Gross Margin

25.35%

Dividend Yield

3.40%

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Digital Realty Trust (DLR +0.28%) is a top developer and acquirer of data centers, the basic computing units of the cloud computing industry. However, since there is overlap between cloud services and 5G, it's worth noting that Digital Realty's clients include telecommunications companies that are building the physical infrastructure to enable 5G.

Although their investments are primarily designed to generate income, all three REITs have seen their share prices increase significantly over the past decade. As mobility becomes increasingly important worldwide and data volumes continue to grow, demand for American Tower, Crown Castle, and Digital Realty Trust's real estate assets will rise.

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Investing in 5G stocks FAQ

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About the Author

Scott Levine is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering energy, industrials, technology, and materials. He is also a high school English teacher and a small business owner. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and creative writing from Binghamton University, a master’s degree in secondary education from Adelphi University, and an advanced certificate in school building leadership from CUNY Queens College. A crossword puzzle enthusiast, he has solved more than 3,100 New York Times puzzles with a 97% solve rate.

TMFProudMonkey

@TMFProudMonkey

Scott Levine has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, American Tower, Arista Networks, Ciena, Corning, Crown Castle, Digital Realty Trust, Marvell Technology, Nvidia, and Qualcomm. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom, T-Mobile US, and Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

How to invest in 5G stocks

Investing in 5G stocks is simple. The following steps will walk you through it:

Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments.

Search for the stock: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.

Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.

Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.

Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.

Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly

How to build a 5G investment portfolio

For those interested in crafting a 5G-focused niche of their portfolios, a good approach is to pick up shares of companies with diverse exposure to the industry.

Starting with a leading semiconductor stock like Broadcom or Qualcomm is a great way to build 5G exposure. Identifying a leading mobile provider is a great next step that could lead investors to buy either Verizon stock or AT&T shares.

After that, investors will want to add an equipment or infrastructure stock. There are several routes to take, but some smart pickups might include Corning, Ciena, or Arista. To complement these selections, a communications REIT -- such as American Tower, Crown Castle, or Digital Realty -- is a smart choice to round out 5G exposure.

Of course, if selecting all these individual stocks seems too laborious, investors could always consider a communications exchange-traded fund (ETF). Packed with leading telecom stocks, the Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX -0.91%) is a great choice. In early December 2025, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile were among the ETF's top eight holdings.

Invest in 5G for the long term

While previous telecom network upgrades enabled the smartphone and mobility booms, 5G technology further entrenches digital technology in daily life. It overlaps with cloud computing, given that so many people now work from home.

5G is also unlocking new forms of entertainment, such as ultra-high-definition video, video game streaming, and virtual reality. Investors who are patient throughout the lengthy 5G deployment process may enjoy attractive long-term returns.

Best 5G Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

Key Points

1. Broadcom

Key Data Points

2. Qualcomm

Key Data Points

3. Marvell Technology Group

Key Data Points

4. Advanced Micro Devices

Key Data Points

5. Nvidia

Key Data Points

1. Corning

Key Data Points

2. Ciena

Key Data Points

3. Arista Networks

Key Data Points

1. American Tower

Key Data Points

2. Crown Castle

Key Data Points

3. Digital Realty Trust

Key Data Points

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The Largest Communications Services Companies by Market Cap in March 2026

Investing in 5G stocks FAQ

About the Author

Stocks Mentioned

Our Guides

Premium Investing Services

Investing in 5G stocks FAQ

Are 5G stocks suitable for long-term investment?

How do 5G stocks differ from traditional telecom stocks?

What company has the largest 5G network?

Do 5G stocks pay dividends?

Are there ETFs that focus on 5G technology?

What industries benefit most from 5G adoption?

Are there small-cap 5G stocks worth investing in?

Best 5G chip stocks

1. Broadcom

2. Qualcomm

1. Corning

2. Ciena

1. American Tower

How to choose a 5G stock

Related investing topics

FAQ

The top 5G stocks to buy in 2026

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

3. Marvell Technology Group

4. Advanced Micro Devices

5. Nvidia

Best 5G equipment and infrastructure stocks

3. Arista Networks

Best 5G real estate investments

2. Crown Castle

3. Digital Realty Trust

How to invest in 5G stocks

How to build a 5G investment portfolio

Invest in 5G for the long term