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Verizon(VZ) - 2024 Q4 - Annual Report

Financial Performance - The Enterprise and Public Sector revenues for 2024 were 14.2billion,accountingforapproximately4814.2 billion, accounting for approximately 48% of the Business segment's total revenues[30]. - Business Markets and Other revenues reached 13.1 billion in 2024, representing about 44% of the Business segment's total revenues[33]. - Wholesale revenues were 2.2billionin2024,makingupapproximately82.2 billion in 2024, making up approximately 8% of the Business segment's total revenues[35]. - Net cash provided by operating activities was 36.9 billion in 2024, a decrease of 563millioncomparedto2023[270].Freecashflowfor2024was563 million compared to 2023[270]. - Free cash flow for 2024 was 19.8 billion, an increase from 18.7billionin2023,attributedtoadecreaseincapitalexpenditures[307].Theanticipatedcashrequirementsforthe2025capitalprogramarebetween18.7 billion in 2023, attributed to a decrease in capital expenditures[307]. - The anticipated cash requirements for the 2025 capital program are between 17.5 billion and 18.5billion,focusingonadvancednetworksandbroadbandexpansion[267].Thecompanypaid18.5 billion, focusing on advanced networks and broadband expansion[267]. - The company paid 11.2 billion in dividends during 2024, marking the eighteenth consecutive year of dividend increases[287]. - Total debt decreased to 144.0billionatDecember31,2024,from144.0 billion at December 31, 2024, from 150.7 billion at December 31, 2023, with an effective interest rate of 5.1%[282]. - Long-term debt commitments total 142.2billion,with142.2 billion, with 21.7 billion expected to be due within the next twelve months[268]. - Capital expenditures for 2024 were 17.1billion,downfrom17.1 billion, down from 18.8 billion in 2023, primarily due to the completion of the C-Band deployment program[275]. Market Position and Competition - As of December 31, 2024, the company had 95 million postpaid connections and 20 million prepaid connections, representing approximately 83% and 17% of its Consumer wireless retail connections, respectively[22]. - The company faces intense competition from major players like AT&T and T-Mobile, as well as regional providers and resellers, impacting market share and pricing strategies[55]. - Verizon's competitive landscape includes increasing pressure from low Earth orbit satellite companies and alternative internet access providers[56]. Network and Technology Development - The company operates a national network covering over 146 million wireless retail connections as of December 31, 2024[47]. - The company provides FWA broadband through its 5G and 4G LTE networks, with nearly 4.6 million FWA broadband connections as of December 31, 2024[23]. - The company is evolving its networks to improve reliability, speed, capacity, coverage, and security, with a focus on 5G technology[45]. - The company anticipates continued demand for spectrum driven by growth in customer connections and increased usage of wireless broadband services[49]. - The company continues to pursue opportunities to trade spectrum licenses to meet capacity and expansion needs in the future[50]. Regulatory Environment - Verizon's broadband services are subject to various state and federal regulations, with recent court rulings limiting the risk of burdensome FCC broadband regulation[67]. - Verizon's regulatory environment includes compliance with privacy and data protection laws, which are becoming increasingly stringent globally[71]. - The company holds FCC spectrum licenses that allow it to provide a wide range of mobile and fixed communications services, with licenses typically having a term of 10 years[65]. Workforce and Diversity - Verizon's workforce consists of approximately 99,600 employees, with 88% based in the U.S., and 36.2% of U.S. senior leadership being women[74]. - Verizon's commitment to diversity is reflected in its workforce demographics, with 52.5% White, 18.4% Black, and 14.0% Hispanic employees in the U.S.[75]. Strategic Acquisitions - The company entered into an agreement to acquire Frontier Communications Parent, Inc., which is expected to enhance its fiber broadband footprint and provide opportunities for future Fios growth[47]. - Verizon completed the acquisition of TracFone for approximately 3.5billionincash,3.5 billion in cash, 3.0 billion in common stock, and up to 650millioninfuturecontingentconsideration[351].VerizonenteredintoamergeragreementtoacquireFrontierCommunicationsfor650 million in future contingent consideration[351]. - Verizon entered into a merger agreement to acquire Frontier Communications for 38.50 per share in cash, subject to regulatory approvals[353]. - Frontier shareholders approved the merger transaction in November 2024[353]. - If the merger agreement is terminated, Frontier may owe Verizon a termination fee of 320millionundercertaincircumstances[353].VerizonmayberequiredtopayFrontieraterminationfeeof320 million under certain circumstances[353]. - Verizon may be required to pay Frontier a termination fee of 590 million under specified conditions if the merger agreement is terminated[353]. - The contingent consideration for TracFone is based on achieving certain revenue and operational targets over a two-year earn-out period[351]. - The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration for TracFone was approximately 560millionattheacquisitiondate[351].ThemergerwithFrontierwillresultinFrontierbecomingawhollyownedsubsidiaryofVerizon[353].FinancialHealthandCashManagementAsofDecember31,2024,thecompanyscashandcashequivalentsbalanceis560 million at the acquisition date[351]. - The merger with Frontier will result in Frontier becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Verizon[353]. Financial Health and Cash Management - As of December 31, 2024, the company's cash and cash equivalents balance is 4.2 billion[265]. - Cash and cash equivalents increased by 2.1billionto2.1 billion to 4.2 billion as of December 31, 2024, compared to the previous year[304]. - Other net cash flow from operating activities in 2024 included 2.0billionfromatransactionwithVerticalBridgeREIT,LLC[273].Thecompanydrewdown2.0 billion from a transaction with Vertical Bridge REIT, LLC[273]. - The company drew down 1.0 billion from credit facilities during 2023, with no drawings in 2024[298]. - Restricted cash decreased by 991millionto991 million to 441 million as of December 31, 2024, primarily due to changes in cash collection timing[305]. - Verizon made discretionary contributions of 365milliontoqualifiedpensionplansin2024,upfrom365 million to qualified pension plans in 2024, up from 200 million in 2023[308]. Impairment and Fair Value Considerations - In Q4 2023, a noncash goodwill impairment charge of approximately $5.8 billion was recorded for the Business reporting unit due to lower projected cash flows[329]. - A projected sustained decline in revenues and earnings could significantly impact the fair value of the reporting unit and result in future impairment charges[331]. - The weighted-average expected loss rate for accounts receivable increased by 0.75% at December 31, 2024, compared to the previous year[343]. - Changes in macroeconomic factors, such as interest rates and inflation, have affected the fair value of the Business reporting unit[329]. - As of October 31, 2024, the fair value of the Business reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount by approximately 8%, but remains susceptible to future impairment risk[330]. Environmental and Sustainability Initiatives - The company has 28 renewable energy purchase agreements totaling approximately 3.7 gigawatts of anticipated renewable energy capacity[315].