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On June 27, 2016, CenturyLink had a forward dividend yield of ~7.9%. Meanwhile, the same yields for Frontier and Windstream were ~9.3% and ~6.8%, respectively.
When it released its 1Q16 results, CenturyLink gave guidance for its core revenue (comprising legacy and strategic revenue) to range from ~$3.9 billion–$4.0 billion for 2Q16.
According to the 1st Half 2016 Metro Area RootScore Report for Des Moines, Verizon came in first in overall network performance, and Sprint came in fourth.
According to the 1H16 RootScore report for Raleigh, T-Mobile’s network performance position improved over its previous RootMetrics performance in 2H15.
An improving broadband proposition with higher Internet speeds should positively affect Cablevision (CVC), considering the competitive dynamics in its industry.
After the approval of the Cablevision transaction by the New York Public Service Commission, Moody’s Investors Service cut Cablevision’s Corporate Family Rating from Ba2 to B1.
After the merger of Charter Communications, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks, the US cable industry is moving toward further consolidation. Altice is expected to acquire Cablevision by the end of June 2016.
During the J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media and Telecom Conference, Jeffrey Storey, Level 3’s CEO, discussed its goal for growth in its enterprise component.
~66.7% of analysts covering Verizon recommended a “hold” as of May 27, 2016. The average target price on Verizon’s stock was $52.63 in comparison to its closing price of $50.62.
The services offered on T-Mobile’s Binge On offering include Netflix (NFLX), Alphabet’s (GOOG) (GOOGL) YouTube, DIRECTV (DTV), and Amazon (AMZN) video.
The pace of Sprint’s postpaid customer growth slowed in fiscal 4Q15. On a net basis, Sprint’s postpaid additions decreased YoY to ~0.06 million during fiscal 4Q15 from ~0.21 million in fiscal 4Q14.
In fiscal 4Q15, Sprint’s postpaid churn figure was ~1.7%. Verizon had the best retention of postpaid customers, with a postpaid churn of ~0.96% in 1Q16.
Sprint (S) is undergoing a cost-cutting initiative that is expected to save at least $2 billion per year in fiscal 2016. According to the company, it had achieved ~$250 million of savings in operating costs in fiscal 4Q15.
Frontier plans to harness the Verizon wireline assets in California, Florida, and Texas for opportunities in the SMB (small and medium-sized business) space.
Frontier Communications’ (FTR) acquisition of Verizon’s (VZ) wireline assets in California, Florida, and Texas was completed on April 1, 2016. According to Frontier, it was a $10.5 billion deal.
AT&T’s prepaid customers in the domestic wireless component increased by a significant ~21.3% year-over-year and reached ~12.2 million by the end of 1Q16.
The take rate on AT&T’s Next plans continued to expand in 1Q16. In the postpaid component, ~80% of its smartphone activations came with these installment plans in 1Q16.
Among the top four US wireless players, Verizon maintained the lowest postpaid churn at ~0.96% in 1Q16. AT&T followed Verizon in this parameter with a postpaid churn of ~1.1% in domestic operations during the quarter.
During the recent MoffettNathanson Media and Communications Summit 2016, Fran Shammo, Verizon’s (VZ) executive vice president and CFO, discussed the company’s key challenges in its 5G deployment.
The merger gives the new Charter Communications the second largest wireline Internet base in the United States, according to figures from the end of 2015.
Among the large Internet service providers, Verizon FiOS was the fastest in this index for April 2016. BrightHouse, Cox, and Cablevision (CVC) Optimum followed FiOS in second, third, and fourth places.
AT&T’s GigaPower is a fiber-based video, Internet, and voice service that is similar to Verizon’s (VZ) FiOS. GigaPower is capable of providing Internet speeds up to 1 Gbps, subject to certain conditions.
During the Jefferies Technology, Media, and Telecom Conference, AT&T’s Scott Mair talked about how AT&T’s wireless network capacity may be able to meet its future needs.
In this series, we’ll look at the highlights discussed by AT&T (T) at the recent Jefferies Technology, Media, and Telecom Conference. Beginning in 4Q16, AT&T plans to initiate three services: DIRECTV Now, DIRECTV Mobile, and DIRECTV Preview.
During Charter Communications’ (CHTR) recent 1Q16 earnings call, CEO Tom Rutledge shared the progress on the Charter, Brighthouse, Time Warner Cable merger.
T-Mobile continued to boost its 4G LTE coverage in 1Q16. During the quarter’s earning call on April 26, 2016, the company noted that its 4G LTE network encompassed 308 million people.
T-Mobile’s service revenue continued its solid growth trend, increasing by ~13% YoY to reach ~$6.6 billion during 1Q16. In 4Q15, this stream had increased by ~11.7% YoY.
As of April 22, 2016, Frontier Communications (FTR) has a market capitalization of ~$6.6 billion. Frontier Communications has a forward annual dividend yield of ~7.8%.
Analysts are expecting Cablevision’s Internet additions to decline in 1Q16. According to Wall Street analysts’ consensus, Cablevision’s net Internet additions are expected to be much lower than 1Q15.
According to the analysts’ consensus, Charter’s revenue is expected to grow by ~7.3% YoY to ~$2.5 billion for the quarter. In 4Q15, the cable company’s revenue rose by ~6.4% YoY.
Wall Street analysts expect Time Warner Cable’s net video customers to remain in the green during the quarter. But they expect the company’s net video additions to continue to shrink.
