Verizon Dominates the 5G mmWave Resurgence as High-Band Spectrum Returns to Center Stage
A new report from Ookla Research highlights a significant revival of mmWave (millimeter-wave) 5G technology in the United States, positioning it as a critical asset for high-density urban performance. After a brief period where the industry focused on Mid-Band (C-band) spectrum, mmWave is re-emerging as the "wireless fiber" of the 5G era. The report confirms that Verizon maintains a substantial lead in this sector, a result of its early strategic acquisitions such as Straight Path and XO Communications.
Data from RootMetrics and Speedtest Insights for the second half of 2025 reveals that Verizon’s mmWave footprint appeared in 2.2% of its total testing samples in urban and rural areas combined, significantly ahead of AT&T at 0.2%, while T-Mobile’s presence remained nearly non-existent. Verizon’s aggressive deployment of Small Cells has allowed it to scale mmWave from 75 markets in early 2024 to 91 markets by late 2025, solidifying its competitive edge in stadiums, major transit hubs, and high-traffic city centers.