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Can Verizon's 6G Acceleration Initiatives and AI Trials Drive Growth?
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Key Takeaways
Verizon added nine major technology companies to its 6G Innovation Forum, broadening its ecosystem.
VZ is testing wireless sensing for crowd density, drones and ground vehicles alongside 5G communications.
AI Sports Companion uses Meta AI glasses, edge computing and NVIDIA technology for real-time sports insights.
Verizon Communications (VZ - Free Report) is expanding its efforts toward next-generation wireless technology through the Verizon 6G Innovation Forum and real-world trials of emerging 6G capabilities. The company is focused on building an artificial intelligence (AI)-native network designed to support advanced applications, connected devices and future digital experiences.
Verizon has added nine major technology companies to the forum, including Amazon Web Services, Cisco, Intel, Keysight Technologies, MediaTek, NVIDIA, Palo Alto Networks, Rohde & Schwarz and VIAVI Solutions. They join founding members Ericsson, Samsung, Nokia, Meta and Qualcomm Technologies, strengthening Verizon’s ecosystem across cloud computing, AI, semiconductor technology, cybersecurity and network testing.
The company has demonstrated Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) through trials with Samsung and Qualcomm, highlighting wireless networks' ability to provide real-time sensing. Verizon and Samsung tested crowd-density monitoring using wireless signals, while a separate trial with Qualcomm successfully tracked drones and ground vehicles alongside high-speed 5G communications.
Verizon has also showcased its AI Sports Companion prototype, which uses Meta AI glasses, edge computing and NVIDIA technology to deliver real-time sports statistics and insights through voice commands. It plans to use the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as a key testing ground for 6G technologies such as AI, ISAC, robotics and smart wearables. These initiatives reinforce the company’s position as the wireless industry advances toward 6G and more intelligent connectivity.
How Are Competitors Advancing in 6G?
Verizon faces stiff competition from AT&T, Inc. (T - Free Report) and T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS - Free Report) . AT&T is exploring 6G-related technologies that combine wireless connectivity with real-time sensing capabilities. The company demonstrated drone detection using its 5G network in collaboration with Ericsson, highlighting technologies that could support future 6G networks. AT&T is advancing Open RAN and cloud-based network technologies as it prepares for the next phase of wireless connectivity.
T-Mobile is accelerating its work toward 6G by collaborating with technology partners on future wireless technologies. The company is exploring wider bandwidths, Giga-MIMO radios and AI-native network capabilities as it prepares for the evolution from 5G to 6G. T-Mobile is using Nokia’s 6G equipment to explore new spectrum capabilities that could support future wireless networks.
VZ’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates
Verizon’s shares have gained 17.3% over the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 94.3%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Verizon trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 9.83, significantly below the industry average of 38.33.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Earnings estimates for 2026 have increased 1% to $5.03 per share, while the same for 2027 have risen 0.2% to $5.29 over the past 60 days.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
Image: Bigstock
Can Verizon's 6G Acceleration Initiatives and AI Trials Drive Growth?
Key Takeaways
Verizon Communications (VZ - Free Report) is expanding its efforts toward next-generation wireless technology through the Verizon 6G Innovation Forum and real-world trials of emerging 6G capabilities. The company is focused on building an artificial intelligence (AI)-native network designed to support advanced applications, connected devices and future digital experiences.
Verizon has added nine major technology companies to the forum, including Amazon Web Services, Cisco, Intel, Keysight Technologies, MediaTek, NVIDIA, Palo Alto Networks, Rohde & Schwarz and VIAVI Solutions. They join founding members Ericsson, Samsung, Nokia, Meta and Qualcomm Technologies, strengthening Verizon’s ecosystem across cloud computing, AI, semiconductor technology, cybersecurity and network testing.
The company has demonstrated Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) through trials with Samsung and Qualcomm, highlighting wireless networks' ability to provide real-time sensing. Verizon and Samsung tested crowd-density monitoring using wireless signals, while a separate trial with Qualcomm successfully tracked drones and ground vehicles alongside high-speed 5G communications.
Verizon has also showcased its AI Sports Companion prototype, which uses Meta AI glasses, edge computing and NVIDIA technology to deliver real-time sports statistics and insights through voice commands. It plans to use the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as a key testing ground for 6G technologies such as AI, ISAC, robotics and smart wearables. These initiatives reinforce the company’s position as the wireless industry advances toward 6G and more intelligent connectivity.
How Are Competitors Advancing in 6G?
Verizon faces stiff competition from AT&T, Inc. (T - Free Report) and T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS - Free Report) . AT&T is exploring 6G-related technologies that combine wireless connectivity with real-time sensing capabilities. The company demonstrated drone detection using its 5G network in collaboration with Ericsson, highlighting technologies that could support future 6G networks. AT&T is advancing Open RAN and cloud-based network technologies as it prepares for the next phase of wireless connectivity.
T-Mobile is accelerating its work toward 6G by collaborating with technology partners on future wireless technologies. The company is exploring wider bandwidths, Giga-MIMO radios and AI-native network capabilities as it prepares for the evolution from 5G to 6G. T-Mobile is using Nokia’s 6G equipment to explore new spectrum capabilities that could support future wireless networks.
VZ’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates
Verizon’s shares have gained 17.3% over the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 94.3%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Verizon trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 9.83, significantly below the industry average of 38.33.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Earnings estimates for 2026 have increased 1% to $5.03 per share, while the same for 2027 have risen 0.2% to $5.29 over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Verizon stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.