Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total company revenue declined about 3% year over year, primarily due to tough comparisons to last year's Paris Olympics, but excluding that impact, revenue increased nearly 3% driven by strong performance across six growth businesses [14][22] - EBITDA and adjusted EPS were consistent with last year, while free cash flow increased 45% to $4.9 billion [14][24] - Connectivity and platforms EBITDA declined by 3.7% this quarter, reflecting the costs associated with the strategic pivot [11][16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Broadband subscribers declined by 104,000 in the quarter, with a seasonal benefit from back-to-school activity offset by intense competition [17] - Convergence revenue grew by 2.5%, supported by mid-teens growth in wireless, with wireless net additions hitting a record of 414,000 [19] - Business services revenue was up 6%, with EBITDA growth of nearly 5%, driven by advanced services adoption [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Broadband-only customers averaged 800 gigs a month in the third quarter, up 9% year over year [6] - Peacock revenue grew at a mid-teens rate, driven by strength in both advertising and distribution, with advertising up 2.6% [22][84] - The competitive environment for broadband remains intense, with fixed wireless serving price-sensitive segments [5][16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on three strategic pillars: network, product, and customer experience, with a deliberate investment phase expected to carry costs [6][11] - A new pricing model has been introduced, simplifying offers and enhancing customer experience, with a focus on price transparency [10][15] - The company aims to be a leader in the multi-gig symmetrical broadband market, adapting its approach to compete effectively [5][6] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the future, highlighting the importance of the leadership transition and the strategic initiatives being implemented [29][30] - The company anticipates continued pressure on ARPU in early 2026 due to the transition to new pricing and packaging [41][46] - Management is confident in the long-term growth potential of broadband and wireless as they navigate the current competitive landscape [48][72] Other Important Information - The company returned $2.8 billion to shareholders this quarter, including $1.5 billion in share repurchases and $1.2 billion in dividends [14][26] - The rollout of the new premium unlimited plan for wireless customers has been successful, enhancing the company's position in the high-value postpaid market [9][19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Context around ARPU evolution and customer migration to new plans - Management indicated that due to investments, ARPU growth is unlikely in 2026, but they are actively migrating customers to new pricing and packaging [40][41] Question: Trajectory of CMP EBITDA next year and OpEx investments - Management acknowledged that while there are investments in sales, marketing, and customer service, they are also rationalizing costs to support the transition [51][55] Question: Speculation about Warner Brothers Discovery and implications for Verizon relationship - Management stated that they are confident in their relationship with Verizon and emphasized that the bar for pursuing M&A is high [59][62] Question: Conversion of free wireless lines to pay and ensuring customer quality - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining quality connections and ensuring a smooth transition for free lines to paid status next year [70][72] Question: Business market trends and competition outlook - Management noted that while competition in the business market is increasing, they have a strong portfolio and are well-positioned for growth [95][96]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2024, the company achieved over 8% growth in postpaid service revenue, more than double that of peers [16] - Core adjusted EBITDA grew by 10% in Q4 and 9% for the full year, leading the industry by a wide margin [16] - The company reported its highest ever diluted earnings per share and free cash flow of $17 billion, generating industry-leading cash flow conversion from service revenues of 26% [16][17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company led the industry in postpaid phone net additions with 903,000 in Q4, marking the third consecutive year of over 3 million postpaid phone net additions [10][9] - Postpaid average revenue per account (ARPA) grew at the highest rate in over 7 years, with over 60% of new customers selecting premium plans [10][16] - The business group also saw its best ever quarter in PhoneNet additions and the lowest total postpaid churn [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company captured its highest ever share of industry broadband net additions, leading the industry in broadband growth with 428,000 net additions in Q4 [14] - The company continues to deepen its market presence in both top 100 and smaller markets, gaining share in rural areas [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on delivering thoughtful, smart, and profitable growth, emphasizing sustainable long-term structural advantages [15] - The company plans to leverage its digital transformation to enhance customer experiences and drive growth [11] - The appointment of a new COO is expected to enhance operational focus and long-term strategy execution [18][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in starting 2025 with the highest ever beginning of the year guidance for expected postpaid net additions [17] - The company anticipates approximately 5% growth in service revenue for 2025, up from the previously indicated 4% [22] - Management highlighted the importance of network investments and transformation for future growth [17][22] Other Important Information - The company activated STARLINK satellite capabilities during California wildfires, demonstrating its commitment to customer connectivity [7] - The acquisition of Vistar is seen as a transformative opportunity in the digital out-of-home advertising space, aiming to enhance measurability and impact [48][51] Q&A Session Summary Question: Guidance on service revenue growth - Management clarified that the 5% service revenue growth guidance is based on expected growth in postpaid customers and ARPA growth, despite anticipated declines in wholesale revenue [29][33] Question: Mix between ARPA growth and account growth - Management noted strong account growth in Q4, driven by existing customers opting for high-speed broadband, and emphasized ongoing ARPA growth across all product lines [41][43] Question: Broadband environment and pricing strategy - Management indicated that the growth rate of the broadband market is less critical than share-taking, and competitive pricing strategies are in place to attract price-sensitive customers [61] Question: Wholesale opportunities and pricing strategy - Management explained that wholesale opportunities are pursued based on the ability to reach audiences more effectively, with a focus on achieving attractive returns on network capacity [67][68] Question: Impact of acquisitions on EBITDA and free cash flow - Management stated that it is premature to provide aggregate EBITDA and free cash flow impacts from recent acquisitions, but all are expected to be value accretive in the long run [76][78] Question: Prepaid business stability and immigration impact - Management reported strong performance in the prepaid segment, with the lowest churn ever, and indicated that immigration trends have not significantly impacted the prepaid business [81][82] Question: Converged footprint and attach rates - Management noted that while competitors report high attach rates, the company has experienced similar benefits in areas where it offers both wireline and wireless services [92]