We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Verizon's Unlimited Data Plans Heat Up Wireless Industry
Read MoreHide Full Article
According to a recent report by Bloomberg, U.S. telecom behemoth Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ - Free Report) may have again introduced a new wireless business expansion plans just after the release of its fourth-quarter 2016 financial results.
Unlimited data plans or unlimited offerings are quite common in the wireless industry. We have seen three other U.S. wireless carriers Sprint Corp. (S - Free Report) , AT&T Inc. (T - Free Report) and T-Mobile US (TMUS - Free Report) opting unlimited offerings as a weapon to lure customers from their rivals. These unlimited offerings usually come with attractive promotional plans, advertisements and lucrative discounts. To this end, Verizon’s unlimited 4G LTE data plan, called Verizon Unlimited, comes after a span of almost five years. The last time that the company had offered unlimited data plans for most customers was in 2011.
Verizon Unlimited
Verizon's unlimited plan is reportedly starting at $80 per month for unlimited data, talk and text for the first line. A family plan for four subscribers on smartphones or tablets will cost $45 per line, or $180 monthly, plus fees. Both new and existing subscribers can sign up.
Moreover, the unlimited plan allows users to stream video at a High Definition (HD) resolution and includes up to 10 GB of LTE mobile hotspot data before cutting that to 3G speeds. However, it has not been specified whether videos are allowed to stream above a 720p resolution which is the minimum threshold for HD video.
Reports states that the plan also provides unlimited calling and texting to Canada and Mexico, along with 500 MB a day of LTE data in those countries. A $10-a-day pass allows for that same amount of data outside North America.
However, as part of the new promotion, Verizon has started offering free iPhones to new customers with qualifying trade-ins. The company used free iPhone promotions for a few weeks during the holiday season to match similar offers from rivals. However, such promotional schemes led to high cash burn and heavy losses for the company.
Winding Up
We appreciate such a move on Verizon’s part and believe that it will add to the company’s long-term growth prospects. Moreover, Verizon has always attempted diversifying its business model in fields like communications, technology, wireless industry, Internet of Things (IoT) and the media video and digital platform.
However, the company’s last reported fourth-quarter financial results have been quite disappointing in terms of total revenue, which declined 5.6% year over year. A major portion of Verizon's business still comes from its retail wireless and wireline business. Hence, we look forward to it, expecting the company to succeed in adding subscribers, keeping pace with competition.
Over the past three months, Verizon returned 5.13%, while the Zacks-categorized Wireless National industry gained 11.43%.
Today, you are invited to download the full list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 ""Strong Buy"" stocks – absolutely free of charge. Since 1988, Zacks Rank #1 stocks have nearly tripled the market, with average gains of +26% per year. Plus, you can access the list of portfolio-killing Zacks Rank #5 ""Strong Sells"" and other private research. See these stocks free >>
Unique Zacks Analysis of Your Chosen Ticker
Pick one free report - opportunity may be withdrawn at any time
Image: Bigstock
Verizon's Unlimited Data Plans Heat Up Wireless Industry
According to a recent report by Bloomberg, U.S. telecom behemoth Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ - Free Report) may have again introduced a new wireless business expansion plans just after the release of its fourth-quarter 2016 financial results.
Unlimited data plans or unlimited offerings are quite common in the wireless industry. We have seen three other U.S. wireless carriers Sprint Corp. (S - Free Report) , AT&T Inc. (T - Free Report) and T-Mobile US (TMUS - Free Report) opting unlimited offerings as a weapon to lure customers from their rivals. These unlimited offerings usually come with attractive promotional plans, advertisements and lucrative discounts. To this end, Verizon’s unlimited 4G LTE data plan, called Verizon Unlimited, comes after a span of almost five years. The last time that the company had offered unlimited data plans for most customers was in 2011.
Verizon Unlimited
Verizon's unlimited plan is reportedly starting at $80 per month for unlimited data, talk and text for the first line. A family plan for four subscribers on smartphones or tablets will cost $45 per line, or $180 monthly, plus fees. Both new and existing subscribers can sign up.
Moreover, the unlimited plan allows users to stream video at a High Definition (HD) resolution and includes up to 10 GB of LTE mobile hotspot data before cutting that to 3G speeds. However, it has not been specified whether videos are allowed to stream above a 720p resolution which is the minimum threshold for HD video.
Reports states that the plan also provides unlimited calling and texting to Canada and Mexico, along with 500 MB a day of LTE data in those countries. A $10-a-day pass allows for that same amount of data outside North America.
However, as part of the new promotion, Verizon has started offering free iPhones to new customers with qualifying trade-ins. The company used free iPhone promotions for a few weeks during the holiday season to match similar offers from rivals. However, such promotional schemes led to high cash burn and heavy losses for the company.
Winding Up
We appreciate such a move on Verizon’s part and believe that it will add to the company’s long-term growth prospects. Moreover, Verizon has always attempted diversifying its business model in fields like communications, technology, wireless industry, Internet of Things (IoT) and the media video and digital platform.
However, the company’s last reported fourth-quarter financial results have been quite disappointing in terms of total revenue, which declined 5.6% year over year. A major portion of Verizon's business still comes from its retail wireless and wireline business. Hence, we look forward to it, expecting the company to succeed in adding subscribers, keeping pace with competition.
Over the past three months, Verizon returned 5.13%, while the Zacks-categorized Wireless National industry gained 11.43%.
Verizon currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Best Place to Start Your Stock Search
Today, you are invited to download the full list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 ""Strong Buy"" stocks – absolutely free of charge. Since 1988, Zacks Rank #1 stocks have nearly tripled the market, with average gains of +26% per year. Plus, you can access the list of portfolio-killing Zacks Rank #5 ""Strong Sells"" and other private research. See these stocks free >>