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Can AT&T Benefit From EchoStar's Mid-Band Spectrum Deployment?
ZACKS· 2025-11-27 14:56
Core Insights - AT&T has deployed mid-band spectrum from EchoStar to nearly 23,000 cell sites, covering almost two-thirds of the U.S. population, enhancing network efficiency and customer experience [1][2] - The integration of this spectrum has resulted in an 80% improvement in download speeds for mobility and a 55% increase for AT&T Internet Air [2][6] - The $23 billion deal for spectrum acquisition is expected to close in mid-2026 and will reduce capital investment needs by eliminating the necessity for new cell site construction [2][6] Company Developments - The deployment aligns with AT&T's strategy to enhance its 5G offerings and support demanding applications such as AI and IoT [3] - The enhanced network infrastructure is also facilitating the expansion of AT&T Internet Air, its fixed wireless service [3] - AT&T's stock has gained 11% over the past year, contrasting with an 8.2% decline in the industry [6] Competitor Analysis - T-Mobile covers 98% of the U.S. population with its 5G network, utilizing mid-band 2.5 GHz spectrum for extensive coverage and fast speeds [4] - Verizon holds a significant amount of spectrum, including 1,741 MHz of mmWave spectrum, and is rapidly deploying new C-band equipment to enhance its 5G ultra-wideband service [5] Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AT&T's earnings for 2025 has increased over the past 60 days, indicating positive market sentiment [7] - AT&T's forward price-to-sales ratio is 1.45, which is below the industry average of 1.86, suggesting potential undervaluation [9]
Four Reasons to Add SBA Communications Stock to Your Portfolio
ZACKS· 2025-07-01 17:26
Core Insights - SBA Communications (SBAC) is well-positioned to benefit from the high capital spending by wireless carriers for network expansion due to the growth in mobile data usage [1][8] - The company has long-term leases with tenants that ensure stable revenues, and its portfolio expansion efforts both domestically and internationally are promising [1][9] Financial Performance - Analysts have a positive outlook on SBAC, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for funds from operations (FFO) per share for 2025 and 2026 being $12.74 and $13.09, respectively [2] - Over the past six months, SBAC shares have increased by 18.3%, outperforming the industry average of 6.5% [3] Market Demand - The demand for SBA Communications' infrastructure is driven by advancements in mobile technology, including 4G and 5G networks, and the increasing use of bandwidth-intensive applications [4] - The rise in smartphone adoption and broadband demand is leading wireless service providers to deploy additional equipment, enhancing network coverage and capacity [4] Business Model - SBA Communications operates a resilient site-leasing business model, generating most of its revenues from long-term tower leases with built-in rent escalators [5] - The company benefits from high operating margins and continues to attract wireless service providers seeking additional antenna space [5] Revenue Growth Expectations - Management anticipates core leasing revenues to increase in 2025 compared to 2024 levels on a currency-neutral basis, driven by wireless carriers deploying unused spectrum and revenues from newly acquired and built towers [6] Expansion Initiatives - In Q1 2025, SBA Communications acquired 344 communication sites and built 67 towers, with plans for further expansion into high-growth domestic and international markets [9][10] - The company is under contract to acquire additional sites, including Milicom's 6,700 sites for $925 million, which will enhance its portfolio and leverage trends in mobile data usage [10] Dividend Policy - SBA Communications announced a quarterly cash dividend of $1.11 per share in February 2025, marking a nearly 13% increase from the previous quarter [11] - The company has increased its dividend five times in the last five years, with a five-year annualized dividend growth rate of 19.97%, indicating a commitment to sustainable dividend distribution [11]