If you're looking for the best telecom stocks to buy, you should own companies with a combination of share price upside and strong dividends.

Owning a cell phone for work and personal life in the 21st century is as important as owning a car was decades ago.

And the importance of telecom is only going to accelerate with the rollout of 5G technology.

Consulting giant Deloitte has projected that the rollout of 5G will take several years to bring to completion, but this technology will be the "connective tissue for the Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles, and mobile media."

As wireless companies prepare for 5G, we're unveiling the three top telecom stocks to buy in October for long-term gains…​

The first telecom stock to buy in October is Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), the largest telecom retailer in the country.

With more than 112 million "postpaid" connections – people who pay after their charges are calculated – on its network, the sheer size of its customer base gives it a steep competitive advantage against its rivals.

The second largest telecom giant – AT&T Corp. (NYSE: T) – trails by a wide margin at 77 million.

And investors looking for the best stocks to own ahead of the 5G revolution should consider Verizon.