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3mo ago

U.S. Carriers Gain Subscribers as Bundles and Fiber Fuel Recovery

Rising subscriber adds from bundled wireless and home internet are strengthening cash flow, which is prompting larger share repurchases.

A contract crew from Verizon installs 5G telecommunications equipment on a tower in Orem, Utah, U.S. December 3, 2019. Picture taken December 3, 2019. REUTERS/George Frey/File Photo
Small toy figures with laptops and smartphones are seen in front of displayed AT&T logo, in this illustration taken December 5, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
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Overview

  • AT&T reported on Wednesday, July 22 that it added 432,000 postpaid wireless subscribers and a record 646,000 combined broadband net adds driven by 367,000 fiber and 279,000 fixed‑wireless connections.
  • T‑Mobile reported on Thursday, July 23 that it added 277,000 postpaid accounts, beat on earnings but missed revenue estimates and raised full‑year free cash flow guidance to $18.4–$18.8 billion.
  • Verizon reported on Friday, July 24 that it added 184,000 postpaid phone customers, raised its full‑year adjusted EPS guide to $4.99–$5.04 and cited simplified plans and new bundles for the momentum.
  • Across the quarter carriers credited simplified low‑cost unlimited plans and wireless‑plus‑home internet bundles for lower churn, stronger cross‑sell and higher service margins even as device and legacy revenue fell.
  • The firms are using stronger cash generation to accelerate buybacks and keep dividends while continuing heavy fiber and fixed‑wireless buildouts that expand addressable households and support higher ARPU going forward.