Verizon To ‘Rely Heavily on Small Cells’ for 5G

Evercore ISI telecom analyst Jonathan Schildkraut is back from Verizon’s Basking Ridge, NJ, headquarters where the carrier covered topics from Go90 to 5G technology and the focus was “showcasing how VZ is reading its business to take advantage of emerging trends in connectivity.” He reports there’s a “need for fiber: 5G is expected to rely heavily on small cells. As such, even though VZ has solid fiber positions in major populated areas, the company said it is constantly looking at ways to bolster its footprint, including partnerships.” Schildkraut also reports “no interference expected from LTE-U.” Verizon, he reports, that in the next few months, “it believes it will have tests that show there is no interference with traditional Wi-Fi. As we have noted previously, we believe the use of unlicensed spectrum by the mobile carriers should provide a meaningful benefit.”
Schildkraut has a “hold” rating on the issue with a $52 price target. Shares of Verizon closed down 31 cents at $46.4 on Tuesday.