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Can AT&T's Fiber Densification Help Bridge the Digital Divide?
ZACKS· 2025-07-11 14:31
Core Insights - AT&T Inc. is focusing on fiber densification to bridge the digital divide by expanding into underserved communities, with a recent agreement with PRIME FiBER to offer wholesale fiber broadband services in Arizona [1][7] - The company aims to reach 60 million fiber locations by the end of 2030, which is crucial for 5G deployment and enhancing broadband connectivity [2][7] - An integrated fiber expansion strategy is expected to improve user experience through steady 5G deployments in various venues, including stadiums and airports [3][7] Company Strategy - AT&T's fiber expansion will support both enterprise and consumer markets, enhancing broadband access and user experience [3] - The acquisition of mid-band spectrum (C-Band) will provide significant bandwidth for better coverage in rural and urban areas [3] Competitive Landscape - Verizon Communications is also expanding its fiber-optic networks to support 4G LTE and 5G standards, with a focus on capital expenditures for network densification [4] - T-Mobile US is investing in fiber broadband to reach 12-15 million customers by 2030, offering various service plans with competitive features [5] Financial Performance - AT&T's stock has surged 46.5% over the past year, outperforming the industry's growth of 21.9% [6] - The company trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 1.59, which is below the industry average [9]
One Big Beautiful Bill Act Fuels AT&T's Fiber Densification
ZACKS· 2025-07-07 14:26
Core Insights - AT&T Inc. is focusing on fiber densification and expanding 5G capacity, driven by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act which unlocks significant mid- and low-band spectrum for rural and suburban areas [1][7] - The company plans to invest in next-generation networks, aiming to deploy fiber to an additional 1 million locations annually starting in 2026, targeting underserved rural communities [2][7] - An integrated fiber expansion strategy is expected to enhance broadband connectivity for both enterprise and consumer markets, with 5G+ services being deployed in various venues [3][7] Company Strategy - AT&T aims to capitalize on broadband demand through continuous infrastructure investments and centralized control, supported by enhanced tax incentives and a renewed spectrum policy [2] - The company plans to deploy 5G+ services in stadiums, retail stores, and airports, while also providing secure 5G facilities for the FirstNet network [3][7] Industry Context - Other telecom carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile are also focusing on fiber expansion, with Verizon enhancing its fiber-optic networks and T-Mobile targeting 12-15 million fiber customers by 2030 [4][5] - Verizon's acquisition of Frontier Communications has accelerated its fiber Internet services, while T-Mobile has launched various fiber service plans with competitive features [4][5] Financial Performance - AT&T's stock has surged 50.8% over the past year, outperforming the industry's growth of 26.7% [6] - The company trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 1.63, which is below the industry average [9]