#telecommunications

Frontier Communications and their minions in Rochester New York! Consider yourself warned!

39.82 USD

• 1.37 (-3.33%)past month
  Closed: Dec 19, 7:58 PM EST • Disclaimer

Yes, Verizon is in the process of acquiring Frontier Communications in a major $20 billion deal announced in September 2024, with the goal of integrating Frontier's significant fiber network to expand Verizon's broadband offerings nationwide, and the acquisition has received regulatory approval (like from the FCC and state PUCs) with an expected closing by early next month. This acquisition combines Frontier's pure-play fiber assets with Verizon's wireless and existing fiber (Fios) services, aiming to create a stronger, combined broadband and mobile provider.

Verizon Strategic Growth Analysis: Competing for the Top Line
Note

This document analyzes Verizon's position relative to T-Mobile and AT&T as of late 2024/early 2025, focusing on strategies to improve top-line revenue.

Executive Summary
Verizon faces a bifurcated challenge: defending its premium user base against T-Mobile's aggressive value-plus-performance attacks while igniting new growth engines to match AT&T's fiber momentum. To improve the top line, Verizon must pivot from being a "utility" provider to a "platform" provider, leveraging its massive 5G Ultra Wideband investment for high-ARPU services in both consumer (FWA, Bundles) and enterprise (Private 5G, MEC) segments.

1. Competitor Landscape: The "Big Three" Dynamics
   Feature Verizon (The Premium Defender) T-Mobile (The Growth Engine) AT&T (The Balanced Builder)
   Primary Strength Network reliability brand equity, massive B2B base. "Un-carrier" value proposition, 5G mid-band spectrum lead. Fiber footprint + Mobility cross-selling.
   Top-Line Strategy Yield over Volume. Focus on ARPA (Account Revenue Per Account) via "myPlan" upsells and perks. Strong FWA push. Volume + Value. Aggressive net adds (Postpaid), attacking rural markets, and entering fiber via JVs. Convergence. Bundling Fiber + Wireless to reduce churn and boost LTV (Lifetime Value).
   Weakness Consumer postpaid net adds have historically lagged. Perception of "expensive". Lack of owned fiber assets (relying on partnerships/acquisitions like Lumos/Metronet). Debt load remains a factor; legacy wireline decline.
2. Strategic Pillars for Top-Line Growth
   A. Consumer Wireless: The "myPlan" Average Revenue Per Account (ARPA) Lever
   Verizon cannot win a price war with T-Mobile. It must win on value density.

Strategy: Aggressively migrate base to "myPlan" tiers. By decoupling perks (Disney+, Apple One, Walmart+) from the base rate, Verizon turns low-margin "freebies" into a recurring revenue marketplace.
Action:
Increase "perk" penetration to drive ARPA up by $2-3/mo per user.
Target the "Switcher Pool" with premium device on us offers only on the highest tier plans (Unlimited Ultimate).
B. Broadband: FWA as the "Gatekeeper"
Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is Verizon's fastest-growing segment. It is the key to winning households where Fios doesn't exist.

Strategy: Position 5G Home Internet not just as a "cheap" alternative, but as a "smart home" hub.
Action:
Bundle Deeply: Offer significant discounts for FWA + Mobile subscribers to lock in the household (churn reduction = sustained top line).
SMB Expansion: Aggressively market FWA Business Internet to small businesses currently stuck on expensive cable legacies.
C. Enterprise (B2B): Private 5G & MEC Focus
Verizon historically owns the Fortune 500 relationship. This is the biggest differentiator against T-Mobile.

Strategy: Move beyond connectivity to managed industry solutions.
Action:
Private Networks: Scale "Network in a Box" solutions for logistics, manufacturing, and stadiums.
MEC (Mobile Edge Compute): Monetize low latency. Collaborate with AWS/Azure to sell "cloud at the edge" for real-time AI inference (e.g., computer vision in factories).
Public Safety: Compete with AT&T's FirstNet by leveraging Frontline's superior mmWave capacity in dense urban centers.
D. Innovation: The API Economy
The industry is moving toward "Programmable Networks" (GSMA Open Gateway).

Strategy: Monetize the network ITself via APIs.
Action:
Sell "Quality on Demand" (QoD) APIs to broadcasters, drone operators, and gaming companies who will pay a premium for guaranteed throughput/latency slices.
Implement "Silent Authentication" APIs to banks for fraud prevention (replacing SMS 2FA), creating a high-margin B2B2C revenue stream.

1. Summary of Recommendations
   Stop chasing empty calorie net adds; focus on High Value adds who take phones + watches + home internet.
   Accelerate the "Platform" narrative: You aren't just selling data; you are selling the ability to run real-time AI at the edge.
   Defend the Enterprise Moat: Use Private 5G to make Verizon indispensable to industrial operations, locking out T-Mobile.

As a stranger things fan it’s awesome to work in the COs and see all the equipment from the EIGHTIES still in place and running. I can imagine how cool it must have been to be alive in that time and how shiny that SLC-96/DMS-100 was back then. As an employee, however, it’s completely embarrassing that these machines are still standing in a Fortune 100 multi billion dollar company. But hey, at least I get to work in a museum every day, pretty cool stuff.

Fixed Wireless Johnny Stinkey. Not everyone wants or needs Ferrari like Fiber Speeds. 9/10 are content with Fixed Wireless. Running Fiber all over the map is a Stinkey move. Johnny Stinkey is always a day late and a dollar short.

IBEW AND CWA already struck a deal with verizon. January 2026 they'll start cutting service techs then outside plant they're saving splicers because they can work down in title

Verizon's Competitive Pricing Strategy
Aggressive Holiday Promotions
Verizon has recently implemented aggressive holiday promotions that significantly undercut T-Mobile's pricing. This strategy aims to attract customers by offering larger discounts across various price tiers. Analysts suggest that Verizon is now positioned as the discount provider in the market, a role that T-Mobile previously held.
Financial Implications
Despite the attractive deals, Verizon is reportedly incurring losses with these promotions, estimated at $640 per account. The company believes that retaining customers through these discounts will lead to long-term profitability as subscribers typically upgrade their plans and purchase additional services over time.
Market Positioning
Verizon's new pricing strategy includes a "Bring Your Bill" promotion, which allows customers to bring their current bills from T-Mobile or AT&T to receive a customized offer that often matches or slightly undercuts their existing costs. This initiative is part of Verizon's effort to reverse recent customer losses and enhance its competitive stance in the wireless market.
Conclusion
Overall, Verizon's current pricing strategy is designed to attract customers from T-Mobile by offering better deals, even at the cost of short-term losses. This shift in strategy marks a significant change in the competitive landscape of the telecommunications industry.

The result of this is T-Mobile has already followed Verizon’s lead and has started laying off employees in order to cut costs. Dan is a genius, the race to the bottom has begun!

https://share.google/LSmQR8g5i7nTjPmMS

It felt good. Really good. I know of three friends doing the same from the layoffs. Total lines are 26 leaving. The bill becomes untenable. Twice the price for the same customer service. Same overseas reps too. DPAs are paid too. No commitment. Just pay the final bill.

“Back at the All-In Summit, David Friedberg asked Musk: "Could you buy some carriers to acquire more spectrum? Maybe buy Verizon?"

Musk replied: "Not out of the question. I suppose that may happen."

https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/spacex-trademark-filing-signals-starlink-mobile-may-soon-take-aim-att-verizon

Is anybody else worried that with the never-ending layoffs pretty much everywhere, even if we manage to find a job we'll be out within a few months because of the first in first out rule? I know everybody is getting rid of seasoned employees, but they have to balance it, and new employees usually pay the price.

Or how to run it. Things have improved a little bit since the 2018 to 2022 fiasco, but it's still more than clear how far out of their depth the leadership is.

We didn’t learn anything about changes made and was he drunk, hasn’t slept in days, or showing signs of a stroke?

Something seemed off

Coming in 2026 ....

https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2025/11/30/this-is-when-microsoft-starts-telling-your-boss-if-youre-not-at-work/

Folks, has anyone looked at the latest Gross and Net Adds from all major carriers. Numbers are not adding up.

Are these telcos cooking them up?!?

Given this desperate layoffs, firing of the CEO at Verizon, is everything ok? Is there any scrutiny on the numbers from telco??

An inbred, crooked, hillbilly run monopoly that was never equipped to compete in the modern telecommunications economy. Big Ed, with his ginormous golden parachute passing the baton to his simpleton son in law, Randall, who effs it all up and passes the baton to an incompetent flunky named Stankey. Who in their right mind would think that what was AT&T could possibly succeed?

For laid off people leaving Verizon, we had a thread on this (link below).
It was a good thread, with 20+ responses.

Here is a summary.

T-Mobile / TMO

• Regular plans cheaper than Verizon even with Verizon employee discount
• Promo for current and former Verizon employees: 2 months free service and free phones, code: VZEX (through sales reps)
• Costco / Sams Club T-Mobile deals: about 450 dollars in gift cards per line when signing up
• Several people report good network quality and paying less than with Verizon
• In Florida, one person reports faster network and no dead spots with Starlink feature
• One commenter is joining a T-Mobile family plan via active duty military daughter to save money

Tello

• Used as a cheap line for kids
• Around 100 minutes plus unlimited texts for under 10 dollars per month
• Has unlimited plans, described as the cheapest the commenter has seen

Visible

• One person planning to sign up, likes the site and the value on Verizon network
• Another has a 20 dollar per month plan and had no issues
• Note: Visible is owned by Verizon, which reduces the stick it to Verizon satisfaction

US Mobile

• Prepaid: 10 dollars per month for unlimited talk, text, and 2 GB data
• Extra data: 4 dollars per additional 2 GB
• Has unlimited data plans as well
• You can choose to use Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile network
• Another deal: if you pay in advance, about 25 dollars per month per line on Verizon or other networks

Helium Mobile

• App based carrier
• Three plans: Free, 15 dollars per month, and 30 dollars per month for unlimited everything
• Likely a T-Mobile reseller
• Instant new number or option to port your existing number

Spectrum Mobile

• Uses Verizon network plus its own WiFi offload
• Around 30 dollars per month with taxes included

Cricket Wireless

• Uses AT&T network, suggested as an option
• Cheap but no details

@OP+1kast0jhx | https://www.thelayoff.com/t/1kast0jhx

Is ATT or T-Mobile hiring ?

So, it seems that higher-ups have been reading this site, as they have extended the employee discount to 52 weeks from the last day on payroll. Therefore, don't be too quick to disconnect your service. Unless of course, you don't want to give VZ any more of your money.

Verizon's number of employees has been declining over the years. Here are the numbers:

• 2024: 99,600 employees, a 5.5% decrease from 2023
• 2023: 105,400 employees, a 9.99% decrease from 2022
• 2022: 117,100 employees, a 1.1% decrease from 2021
• 2021: 118,400 employees, a 10.44% decrease from 2020
• 2020: 132,200 employees, a 2.07% decrease from 2019
• 2019: 135,000 employees
• 2018: 144,500 employees
• 2017: 155,400 employees
• 2016: 160,900 employees
• 2015: 177,700 employees

The decline in employees is part of Verizon's restructuring efforts under new CEO Dan Schulman, aiming to reduce costs and improve competitiveness in the telecommunications market ¹ ² ³.

“In 2025, Verizon launched an innovative upgrade to its customer service program. Deriving its name from its June 24 launch date, Project 624 is only the first step in Verizon’s ambitions of being “the best applied AI company in the world.” The new product utilizes AI-driven tools to enhance the services provided by human agents, significantly upgrading the telecom giant’s customer experience platform and freeing up agents’ time significantly.”

Link:
https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/driving-growth-innovation-leading-telco?fbclid=IwZnRzaAOFQj1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5CGNhbGxzaXRlAjI1AAEerLAVPW9q5eP8p9m1WxxdwDETCbPZ7W2aPMXdKgGm30Sv_0fhZNjv6QzaNAc_aem_NdzCqx7G2lXzCBabvBgtpg

Every major index is at all time highs, and AT&T can’t even catch a tailwind. The stock is a DOG, and nobody’s buying what Stinky’s selling. The Street has zero confidence in this leadership team or their “strategy”

Face it, this stock stanks.

There was a post earlier today about the stock price tanking, the Stank’s inability to boost the price, etc. I see it was deleted. Sometimes the truth hurts, but I’m guessing it’s also a sore spot for the company.

I know we are cooked! Managers said they not doing anymore obs. She said do what you want.

With impending layoffs at Verizon of ~15-20K on 11/20, it would be ideal for TMo to offer a special plan for former VZ employees. Easy way to win new lines!

I joined Verizon two years ago right out of college, and I can’t remember a single stretch of time when layoffs weren’t hanging over everyone’s head. Was it always like this in the past, or is this just how things are now? Is it the same everywhere? Is this what I have to look forward to for the rest of my working life?

An AD I know got let go today. More to come for sure.

https://stocks.apple.com/AoOinDLVBRT-cbsHb5qkPGg

MPs were the first to go this week. Maybe this means no more markets??

Several people were RIF'd in Kinetic 10/30. Uniti mixed it up by switching to 5th Thursday and kept this one really quiet.

Sisters, Brothers, and Siblings, I am pleased to announce that your duly elected bargaining committee has reached a tentative agreement (TA) with Frontier Communications after months of hard work, negotiation, and many late nights. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and strength of our
bargaining team. I am also proud to inform you that our National Executive Board voted unanimously in favor of this tentative agreement. This is a significant milestone, and it reflects our commitment to
improving our working conditions and benefits.

-

Such a ridiculous ad by us calling T-Mobile deceptive and a hustle. When we as a company are a joke. Like and comment #WeSupportTMobile if you agree.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/t-mobiles-incoming-ceo-att-is-taking-potshots-because-its-under-pressure-152258495.html

So much for that new campaign those smooth-brains on the Q3 Earnings Call were so excited about.

Wish we had a CEO like TMUS

This should have been an offer for Visible. The street is not going to like this next week…

Oh man, are they in for a rude awakening.