🚨JUST IN: WORLD MOBILE LAUNCHED A DRONE-BASED DECENTRALIZED TELECOM NETWORK, AIMING TO DELIVER WIRELESS SERVICES FROM THE STRATOSPHERE ...

Group 1 - Verizon Communications reported better-than-expected second-quarter results and raised its full-year guidance, marking its 35th consecutive year of being recognized for the best wireless network quality by J.D. Power [1] - The company's forward price-to-earnings ratio is below 9.2, significantly lower than the S&P 500's forward earnings multiple of 22.7, indicating that Verizon's shares are not priced for perfection [8] - Verizon's business is largely resistant to the impact of tariffs and overall economic downturns, as wireless services are considered essential by consumers [10] Group 2 - The company is on track to close the acquisition of Frontier Communications in early 2026, which is expected to boost growth [12] - Verizon's forward dividend yield is 6.3%, providing a strong foundation for delivering double-digit percentage total returns, supported by an increase in free cash flow expected this year [13]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a year-over-year increase in free cash flow of $79 million for Q1 2025, an increase of $18 million compared to the same quarter last year [14] - Total operating revenues decreased by 3% compared to the prior year, impacted by divestitures and declines in commercial and wholesale revenue [47] - Cash expenses increased by 6% or $11 million in the quarter compared to the prior year, with part of the increase attributed to stock-based compensation adjustments [47] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company saw a 6% increase in third-party tower revenues due to new co-locations and escalators on renewed leases [13] - Fiber service addresses grew by 6% year-over-year, with 14,000 new addresses delivered in the quarter [19][36] - Residential broadband net additions were 2,800, with 8,300 coming from fiber markets, lower than prior quarters due to timing of service address delivery [37][40] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company continues to face competitive pressures in the wireless market, with aggressive promotions from competitors impacting service revenues [15] - The fiber strategy is expected to drive growth, with a target of achieving 40% average penetration in steady state within five years after launch [41] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on completing the transaction with T-Mobile, which is expected to close in mid-2025, and is preparing for a smooth transition [9][10] - Post-transaction, the company plans to declare a special dividend to shareholders, with proceeds expected to be used to repay outstanding bank debt [11][19] - The company is also investing in its fiber program, aiming to expand its footprint and improve operational efficiency [39][100] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged increased uncertainties in the broader economy and markets but remains optimistic about the long-term potential of the tower business [13][18] - The company expects to continue facing competitive pressures but believes the T-Mobile transaction will provide better competitive choices and connectivity experiences for customers [16][17] - Management is confident in achieving $100 million in annual cost savings by 2028 through transformation efforts [39][78] Other Important Information - The company does not plan to redeem its Series UU and Series BV preferred stock, viewing them as foundational capital for future operations [11][73] - The company is actively evaluating its portfolio for potential divestitures, particularly in copper markets without an economic path to fiber [99] Q&A Session Summary Question: Timing of designated entity spectrum approval - The timing is uncertain and dependent on regulatory approval by the FCC, but there is optimism for a positive outcome [58] Question: Free cash flow run rate - The reported free cash flow of $79 million is not necessarily a run rate, but capital expenditures are expected to be down in 2025, which is positive for free cash flow [60][61] Question: Debt exchange offer impact - The debt exchange offer will be launched about 50 days before the anticipated close, and the amount of debt exchanged will impact the purchase price [62][111] Question: Fiber net adds and sales efforts - Fiber net adds were lower due to timing of address delivery, but as construction ramps up, net adds are expected to improve [66] Question: Rationale for remaining a public entity - The incremental cost to operate as a public company is minimal, and there are no immediate incentives to collapse the structure [107][108]

Core Insights - TDS reported total operating revenues of $1,154 million for Q1 2025, a decrease of 9% from $1,262 million in Q1 2024 [1][27] - The net loss attributable to TDS common shareholders was $(10) million, translating to a diluted loss per share of $(0.09), compared to a net income of $12 million and diluted earnings of $0.10 in the same period last year [1][27] Group 1: Financial Performance - UScellular's operating revenues decreased by 6% to $891 million in Q1 2025 from $950 million in Q1 2024 [27] - TDS Telecom's revenues also fell by 3% to $257 million from $266 million year-over-year [27] - Total operating expenses for TDS decreased by 6% to $1,119 million from $1,195 million in the previous year [27] Group 2: Strategic Developments - TDS is in the process of selling its wireless operations to T-Mobile, with the transaction expected to close in mid-2025, pending regulatory approval [3] - TDS Telecom is focusing on fiber deployment, adding 14,000 marketable fiber service addresses in Q1 2025 [2] - The tower business is experiencing growth, with third-party tower revenues increasing by 6% in the quarter [2] Group 3: Operational Metrics - Postpaid handset gross additions increased, while net losses improved, indicating a positive trend in customer retention [8] - TDS Telecom added 2,800 residential broadband net additions, with a total of 555,800 broadband connections as of March 31, 2025 [23] - The average revenue per user (ARPU) for postpaid customers was $52.06, showing a slight increase from $51.73 in the previous quarter [16]

Core Viewpoint - Verizon Communications is facing challenges in subscriber growth and competition, leading to a significant decline in stock price despite being a historically reliable income stock with a long history of dividend increases [1][2]. Group 1: Financial Performance - In 2024, Verizon generated 76% of its consolidated revenue from its consumer segment, with 115 million wireless retail connections, 10 million broadband connections, and approximately 3 million Fios video connections [4]. - Verizon's adjusted earnings per share (EPS) declined 2.5% to $4.59, but this still covered its $2.67 per share in dividends for the full year [8]. - For 2025, Verizon expects wireless service revenue to grow by 2% to 2.8%, adjusted EPS to rise by 0% to 3%, and adjusted EBITDA to increase by 2% to 3.5% [11]. Group 2: Subscriber Growth and Market Position - Verizon's growth in postpaid wireless subscribers has been sluggish, struggling against AT&T and T-Mobile's competitive pricing and promotions [5]. - In 2024, Verizon's total number of wireless retail postpaid subscribers grew 1.4% to 95.12 million, attributed to localized incentives and marketing campaigns [7]. - In the first quarter of 2025, Verizon lost 289,000 postpaid phone subscribers, while competitors AT&T and T-Mobile gained 324,000 and 495,000 new postpaid wireless phone subscribers, respectively [9]. Group 3: Strategic Moves - To enhance its fiber network expansion and reduce reliance on the wireless market, Verizon agreed to acquire Frontier Communications in a $20 billion deal, expected to close by the first quarter of 2026 [10]. - Verizon's ongoing promotions have pressured its margins, but it has mitigated this by trimming its workforce and divesting lower-margin businesses [7]. Group 4: Investment Outlook - Analysts expect Verizon's revenue and adjusted EPS to grow by 2% in 2025, indicating a stable outlook but requiring consistent expansion in higher-growth areas [12]. - Verizon is not considered an undervalued stock due to its anemic growth and competition, but it is not viewed as a high-yield trap either, as it generates sufficient profits to cover its dividends [13]. - The company is seen as a worthwhile income investment at current levels, with a low valuation and high yield limiting downside potential, making it suitable for dividend-driven investors [14].

Financial Performance - Rogers Communications reported first-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of 69 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.82% and remaining flat year over year [1] - Revenues totaled $3.47 billion, missing the consensus mark by 1.19% and decreasing 4.6% year over year [1] - In Canadian dollars, adjusted earnings were C$0.99 per share, remaining flat year over year, while total revenues increased 1.5% year over year to C$4.98 billion [2] Wireless Segment - Wireless revenues, accounting for 51.1% of total revenues, increased 0.6% year over year to C$2.54 billion, with service revenues rising 1.5% to C$2.02 billion [3] - Monthly mobile phone ARPU was C$56.94, down 1.9% year over year, while the prepaid subscriber base grew by 111K to 1.13 million [4] - The postpaid wireless subscriber base reached 10.78 million, with net additions of 293K subscribers year over year [4] Cable Segment - Cable revenues, representing 38.9% of total revenues, decreased 1.2% year over year to C$1.93 billion due to competitive promotional activity [6] - Service revenues in the cable segment fell 1.2% year over year to C$1.92 billion, while equipment revenues decreased 8.3% to C$11 million [6] - The retail Internet subscriber count increased by 108K to nearly 4.296 million [6] Media Segment - Media revenues increased 24.4% year over year to C$596 million, driven by higher sports-related revenues and advertising revenues [9] - Segment operating expenses rose 13.9% year over year to C$663 million, resulting in a negative adjusted EBITDA of C$67 million [10] Consolidated Results - Operating costs increased 1.3% to C$2.72 billion, while adjusted EBITDA rose 1.8% year over year to C$2.25 billion [11] - Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 10 basis points to 45.3% [11] Balance Sheet & Cash Flow - As of March 31, 2025, available liquidity was C$7.5 billion, including C$2.7 billion in cash and cash equivalents [12] - The debt leverage ratio was 4.3 times, with cash flow from operating activities at C$1.29 billion [13] - Free cash flow was C$586 million, down from C$878 million in the previous quarter [13] Dividends & Guidance - The company paid dividends worth C$269 million and declared a C$0.50 per share dividend [14] - For 2025, Rogers Communications expects total service revenues and adjusted EBITDA to grow in the range of 0-3% [15]