Verizon posts solid Q1, looks forward to 5G dynamic spectrum sharing

Verizon reported solid first quarter numbers and provided new details into its 5G strategy, as it continues with early deployments. CEO Hands Vestberg said that Verizon is continuing to prioritize its 5G roll-out in “cities that have made it easy to build there.” Vestberg also said that the company is anticipating the use of dynamic spectrum sharing as part of its 5G strategy — so that specific spectrum bands do not have to be allocated to specific technology generations, as has typically been the case in wireless technology. He said that the technology won’t be available until next year and that Verizon is in early conversations with chipset and equipment vendors, but added that “all spectrum will be exposed to dynamic spectrum sharing over time.” Executives from the company faced a number of questions from analysts about the performance of its millimeter wave spectrum, which it is leveraging for 5G services. Vestberg said that Verizon’s 5G “meets our expectations” and that the company will continue to push software updates and upgrades that result in performance improvements.