While 5G is in the limelight, AT&T and Verizon's fiber builds are the roadies

While 5G may be the showstopper for Verizon and AT&T, their respective fiber build-outs are the roadies that move and carry the loads. Verizon has been dramatically expanding its fiber equipment in support of 5G technologies, such as C-RAN, and densification for wireless services as well as fiber deep for its wireline access services. In order to get its fiber ducks in a row, which included all of its wireless fiber assets and all of its Verizon business assets that were formally under MCI, Verizon embarked on its One Fiber program. As the name implies, Verizon is putting all of its fiber assets and plans into a single, combined entity in order to plan for its fiber needs. AT&T is bullish on its fiber prospects.