Verizon's choice of Hans Vestberg as CEO puts focus back on race for 5G

Verizon plans to start commercial 5G service by year-end in parts of Los Angeles and Sacramento

In elevating technology chief Hans Vestberg to lead the overall company on Friday, Verizon Communications sent a message to the rest of the industry: It’s doubling down on network expansion to ward off increasingly ambitious rivals.

While AT&T tries to complete an acquisition of Time Warner and T-Mobile US pursues its merger with Sprint, Verizon wants no distractions. It’s betting that being first to build a faster fifth-generation network will give it an edge over competitors for years.

Verizon already sat out the latest round of potential deals — such as bidding on CBS or 21st Century Fox’s entertainment assets — even