BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Apple backs AT&T in continuing spat with Verizon]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/24/apple-backs-atandt-in-continuing-spat-with-verizon/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/24/apple-backs-atandt-in-continuing-spat-with-verizon/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/24/apple-backs-atandt-in-continuing-spat-with-verizon/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

AT&T, Inc. (T) has been getting itself into a wad about recent commercials from larger competitor Verizon Wireless. In those ads, Verizon touts its advanced 3G wireless coverage over AT&T's tepid 3G coverage as a way to battle the ubiquitous popularity of the Apple (AAPL) iPhone that no carrier seems to be able an unseat as the phone to exclusively sell.

Continue reading Apple backs AT&T in continuing spat with Verizon

Apple backs AT&T in continuing spat with Verizon originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLAppleATTfeaturedInc.iphoneiphone 3giphone3gTVerizon WirelessVerizonWirelessVZTue, 24 Nov 2009 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Let the war begin: AT&T sues Verizon Wireless over advertising claims]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/04/let-the-war-begin-atandt-sues-verizon-wireless-over-advertising-c/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/04/let-the-war-begin-atandt-sues-verizon-wireless-over-advertising-c/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/04/let-the-war-begin-atandt-sues-verizon-wireless-over-advertising-c/#commentsFiled under: , ,

AT&T, Inc. (NYSE: T) has seen incredible gain on the back of the Apple iPhone in the last two years. So much, in fact, that its national wireless network is most likely strained -- causing many an iPhone customer to constantly have problems with their service.

Continue reading Let the war begin: AT&T sues Verizon Wireless over advertising claims

Let the war begin: AT&T sues Verizon Wireless over advertising claims originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ATTfeaturedinthenewsiPhoneMotorola DroidMotorolaDroidVerizon WirelessVerizonWirelessVZWed, 04 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alltel throws a stick at the competition, switches to one-year contracts]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/05/alltel-throws-a-stick-at-the-competition-switches-to-one-year-c/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/05/alltel-throws-a-stick-at-the-competition-switches-to-one-year-c/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/05/alltel-throws-a-stick-at-the-competition-switches-to-one-year-c/#commentsFiled under: ,

Alltel Wireless, which is in the midst of being acquired by Verizon Wireless (making the carrier the largest in the U.S.), wants to shake up the wireless industry of sorts. How? Require one-year contracts for its new wireless subscribers without raising the subsidized prices of its wireless handsets.

Continue reading Alltel throws a stick at the competition, switches to one-year contracts

Alltel throws a stick at the competition, switches to one-year contracts originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AlltelAlltel WirelessAlltelWirelessVerizon CommunicationsVerizon WirelessVerizonCommunicationsVerizonWirelessWireless contractsWirelessContractsFri, 05 Jun 2009 13:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple could sell twice as many iPhones by going with Verizon Wireless]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/02/apple-could-sell-twice-as-many-iphones-by-going-with-verizon-wir/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/02/apple-could-sell-twice-as-many-iphones-by-going-with-verizon-wir/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/02/apple-could-sell-twice-as-many-iphones-by-going-with-verizon-wir/#commentsFiled under: ,

Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) could sell twice as many iPhones if it decided to dump partner AT&T, Inc. (NYSE: T) as the only exclusive provider of the iPhone, according to some Bernstein Research analysts. Would Apple dare do that? Since Apple and AT&T joined exclusive forces almost two years ago, Verizon Wireless has emerged as the largest wireless carrier in the U.S. -- and none of its 87+ million subscribers has an iPhone. Mighty tempting, Apple.

Continue reading Apple could sell twice as many iPhones by going with Verizon Wireless

Apple could sell twice as many iPhones by going with Verizon Wireless originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLAppleATTCDMA iPhoneCdmaIphoneInc.inthenewsiPhone 3GIphone3gVerizon WirelessVerizonWirelessTue, 02 Jun 2009 15:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Sprint Nextel continues losing customers, sees $600 million net loss]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/05/sprint-nextel-continues-losing-customers-sees-600-million-net/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/05/sprint-nextel-continues-losing-customers-sees-600-million-net/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/05/sprint-nextel-continues-losing-customers-sees-600-million-net/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S), the trying to be the"comeback kid" under CEO and telecom vet Dan Hesse, just lost another swath of customers in its latest quarter. The company reported almost an almost $600 million net loss in its latest quarter as its postpaid (contract) customers continue to defect to the competition.

All in all, this quarter wasn't as bad for Sprint as previous quarters. The third-largest wireless carrier in the U.S lost 182,000 wireless customers last quarter, leaving it with under 50 million total wireless customers. Still, the last quarter of 2008 saw Sprint lose about 1.3 million customers, so this past quarter was quite the marked improvement.

Continue reading Sprint Nextel continues losing customers, sees $600 million net loss

Sprint Nextel continues losing customers, sees $600 million net loss originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 May 2009 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Boost MobileBoostMobileprepaid wirelessPrepaidWirelessSSprint lossSprint NextelSprintLossSprintNexteltverizon wirelessVerizonWirelessTue, 05 May 2009 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Verizon talking to Microsoft about iPhone rival partnership? Here we go again.]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/29/verizon-talking-to-microsoft-about-iphone-rival-partnership-her/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/29/verizon-talking-to-microsoft-about-iphone-rival-partnership-her/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/29/verizon-talking-to-microsoft-about-iphone-rival-partnership-her/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Verizon Wireless, a division of Verizon Communications, Inc. (NYSE: VZ), and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) may be partnering soon to take on the Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone. The iPhone, which has re-defined the mobile handset and has racked up huge sales worldwide in the 22 months in existence, needs a strong competitor. So far, all the iPhone "killers" have been anything but.

Continue reading Verizon talking to Microsoft about iPhone rival partnership? Here we go again.

Verizon talking to Microsoft about iPhone rival partnership? Here we go again. originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DEnny StriglDennyStrigliPhoneMicrosoft Corp.MicrosoftCorp.MSFTVerizon iPhoneVerizon WirelessVerizonIphoneVerizonWirelessVZWed, 29 Apr 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sprint Nextel hurting itself at the hands of prepaid wireless companies?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/20/sprint-nextel-hurting-itself-at-the-hands-of-prepaid-wireless-co/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/20/sprint-nextel-hurting-itself-at-the-hands-of-prepaid-wireless-co/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/20/sprint-nextel-hurting-itself-at-the-hands-of-prepaid-wireless-co/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) launched the $50 all-you-can-eat wireless plan with its Boost Mobile prepaid brand back in January, it was a shock to the wireless industry. Indeed, prepaid wireless generally is more expensive and less feature-laden than contract wireless in the U.S. But not even contract wireless plans that featured unlimited talking/texting/web access could be found for $50. What was Sprint Nextel trying to do? Cannibalize itself?

Continue reading Sprint Nextel hurting itself at the hands of prepaid wireless companies?

Sprint Nextel hurting itself at the hands of prepaid wireless companies? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ATTSSprint NextelSprintNextelTVerizon WirelessVerizonWirelessVirgin MobileVirginMobileMon, 20 Apr 2009 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Verizon Wireless completes purchase of Alltel]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/12/verizon-wireless-completes-purchase-of-alltel/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/12/verizon-wireless-completes-purchase-of-alltel/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/12/verizon-wireless-completes-purchase-of-alltel/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Verizon Wireless, a unit of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) closed on the $28.1 billion acquisition of wireless rival Alltel Wireless late last week and is now the largest wireless company in the U.S., leapfrogging AT&T, Inc. (NYSE: T). The purchase amount includes $5.9 billion in equity and $22.2 billion in debt from TPG Capital, which had purchased Alltel for $27.5 billion in the spring of 2008.

Although it was a short-term deal that TPG Capital was after (it made some money, after all), Verizon is once again the top dog in U.S. wireless service. For some reason, the industry is insisting on combining all kinds of competitors to leave just a handful of them to serve customers. Will this combination be in the best interest of consumers? It doesn't matter. Like most mergers, it is meant to bring in more revenue and try to stem the losses Verizon Wireless has seen since AT&T became the exclusive distributor for Apple, Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AAPL) enormously successful iPhone.

Verizon's customer base of more than 83 million customers will now be the force to reckon with when newer devices are created by manufacturers and wireless carriers are looked at as release partners. With Verizon and Alltel both using the same technical standard -- unlike the disastrous Sprint and Nextel merger of 2005 -- this new entity is setting itself up from the start to be the pre-eminent wireless company in North America. Let's see if it can remain that way.

Verizon Wireless completes purchase of Alltel originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AlltelAlltel mergerAlltelMergerVerizon WirelessVerizonWirelessVZWMon, 12 Jan 2009 13:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Qwest (Q) for profits: Turnaround or takeover?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/15/qwest-q-for-profits-turnaround-or-takeover/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/15/qwest-q-for-profits-turnaround-or-takeover/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/15/qwest-q-for-profits-turnaround-or-takeover/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

"Investors have been focusing on the shortcomings at Qwest Communications International (NYSE: Q), and to be sure, it has plenty," observes turnaround specialist George Putnam.

In his The Turnaround Letter, he adds, "But the company also has very valuable assets and strong cash flow. In addition, we believe the stock would command a good premium in a takeover." Here's his bullish review.

"Following its IPO in 1995, Qwest expanded via acquisitions and partnerships, and participated in the telecom bubble of the late 1990's.

"Unlike many of the other high-flying telecoms of that era, however, Qwest realized that in addition to a story you needed customers. In 2000, it went out and acquired US West, which gave Qwest the revenue base to survive the bursting of the telecom bubble

"Although the company survived, the shareholders have had a rocky ride during the current decade. The stock peaked around 60 in 2000, dropped to just above 1 in 2002, rebounded to 10 in 2007 and then declined to its present level.

"Management's challenge is too maximize the value of its assets. One of Qwest's greatest assets, and biggest challenges, is its huge traditional landline telephone business. The landline business is in a slow but steady decline as customers move to wireless or Internet telephony.

Continue reading Qwest (Q) for profits: Turnaround or takeover?

Qwest (Q) for profits: Turnaround or takeover? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>broadbanddirectvfiber opticgeorge putnamqqweststeven halpernStevenHalperntelecomthestockadvisors.comturnaround letterturnaround stocksTurnaroundLetterverizonverizon wirelessVerizonWirelessvideovzMon, 15 Dec 2008 10:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Obama's cell phone records hacked by Verizon employees]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/21/obamas-cell-phone-records-hacked-by-verizon-employees/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/21/obamas-cell-phone-records-hacked-by-verizon-employees/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/21/obamas-cell-phone-records-hacked-by-verizon-employees/#commentsFiled under: ,

Reasons abound for security protocol surrounding cell phone records at the major carriers. Consumers just don't like hearing about privacy breaches. But as the presidential office moves into the wired age, for the first time a President-elect is a red flag going off in Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ)'s face.

A personal cell phone account owned by Barack Obama (but that has been inactive for several months) was confirmed to have been accessed by "several" of Verizon's employees -- all of whom have been placed on administrative paid leave pending an internal investigation into which did so for a good reason.

While it's easy to imagine the thrill that might accompany viewing the phone calls of the President-elect (how many minutes to that number in Chappaqua, New York in June?), it's also easy to imagine the potential damage that could arise from such illegal access, both to Obama (or any candidate) and to the trust the public places in its cell phone carriers. Verizon is right to have taken action and made the news public; but the company should have put more preventative measures in place to ensure its sensitive customers' data was secure.

Continue reading Obama's cell phone records hacked by Verizon employees

Obama's cell phone records hacked by Verizon employees originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 07:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>expire-images2008-12-21inthenewsobamaprivacysecurityverizonverizon wirelessVerizonWirelessvzFri, 21 Nov 2008 07:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft talking to Verizon about displacing Google as mobile search provider]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/10/microsoft-talking-to-verizon-about-displacing-google-as-mobile-s/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/10/microsoft-talking-to-verizon-about-displacing-google-as-mobile-s/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/10/microsoft-talking-to-verizon-about-displacing-google-as-mobile-s/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) is talking to Verizon Wireless in an effort to replace Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) as the default mobile search provider on the second-largest wireless network in the U.S. Why does Microsoft want this? Because, it has lost the web search business to Google on the PC screen -- so perhaps it thinks it can compete better (or win) the web search race on the cellphone screen.

Google CEO Eric Schmidt has reminded the world that Google's next large focus is on the mobile market. Although mobile search and mobile web browsing has taken a while to gain steam, the sheer number of mobile devices with internet connectivity dwarfs the PC market. Google and Microsoft are both licking their chops over this one.

So, it's kind of like entering the web search market back in 1988 here -- whichever company can seal as many deals to become the de-facto mobile search and information portal for major wireless companies will own the space. It's the same argument that has stood for a while in the PC market: consumers will use whatever default software or services offered on the device they just bought. Why type in "google.com" on your cellphone or smartphone keypad if Microsoft's search is right there waiting for you? Seeing that Verizon Wireless doesn't have an outside partnership for mobile web searches, this may be a huge battle that gets little attention -- but that doesn't mean it's not important.

Microsoft talking to Verizon about displacing Google as mobile search provider originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GOOGGoogleInc.inthenewsMicrosoftMobile searchMobileSearchMSFTVerizonVerizon WirelessVerizonWirelessMon, 10 Nov 2008 13:55:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T, Verizon Wireless increasing subscriber leads in wireless]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/15/atandt-verizon-wireless-increasing-subscriber-leads-in-wireless/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/15/atandt-verizon-wireless-increasing-subscriber-leads-in-wireless/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/15/atandt-verizon-wireless-increasing-subscriber-leads-in-wireless/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

While AT&T, Inc. (NYSE: T) continues to bask in the sunlight of huge iPhone 3G sales, competitor Verizon Wireless isn't doing too shabby, either. In fact, one analyst says both wireless carriers are stealing all the customers and thunder from the other wireless carriers in the U.S. and riding off into the sunset. Those other wireless carriers? They're stuck eating dust at the moment.

Craig Moffett of Bernstein Research mentioned the U.S. economic slowdown as magnifying the effect, while stating "There simply isn't enough growth left in the market to support all players." He's right -- carriers like Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) have been struggling for quite some time (even installing a new CEO), and fourth-largest carrier T-Mobile is just standing by gaining customers as needed. At the same time, AT&T and Verizon Wireless continue to grow. Remember, these are the remnants of the old telco companies that are now becoming monopolistic just as they were in the 1980s with the landline telephone market. Yes, I said monopolistic.

Moffett added that the rapid decline in voice spending with wireless carriers has not been made up, as hoped, with wireless data and texting revenues (even with rising prices). Moffett then added, "That makes subscriber growth -- again -- virtually the sole growth engine for the U.S. wireless industry." With wireless maturing as an industry, are there growth times ahead, or just a consolidation of carriers as all markets are saturated? Growth, especially in 2009, will be hard to come by.

AT&T, Verizon Wireless increasing subscriber leads in wireless originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>091508ATTiphonesTVerizon WirelessVerizonWirelessVZVZWwireless carriersWirelessCarriersMon, 15 Sep 2008 13:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Can Verizon keep it up?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/28/can-verizon-keep-it-up/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/28/can-verizon-keep-it-up/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/28/can-verizon-keep-it-up/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) today reported better-than-expected second quarter results, fueled by growth in its wireless and FioS TV and Internet customers.

Net income rose 12% to $1.88 billion, or 66 cents a share, from $1.68 billion, or 58 cents, a year earlier, according to the New York-based company. Sales rose 3.7% to $24.1 billion. Excluding one-time costs, profit was 67 cents, two cents ahead of the 65-cents expected by analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News. Sales were slightly below the $24.2 billion Bloomberg estimate.

"Our second quarter results were on track with our business plan, and top- and bottom-line growth remained solid," said Chief Executive Officer Ivan Seidenberg in the earnings press release. "We remain focused on steady improvements in revenue growth and productivity that will increase profitability and cash flows and create future opportunities to enhance shareholder returns."

Among the highlights:
  • 1.5 million net customer additions for the wireless business;
  • Wireless churn of 1.12%, 0.83% retail post-paid churn;
  • 11.8 percent increase in total revenues; data revenues up 45.3%
  • 176,000 net new FiOS TV customers and 187,000 net new FiOS Internet customers
Going forward, it will be interesting to see if consumers, who are already stretched thin, begin holding off on ordering FiOS even if the service is superior to cable. Also, will stressed consumers quit the service because they are worried about more pressing needs like their mortgage?

Can Verizon keep it up? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fiosfios tvFiosTvinthenewstelecomverizon wirelessVerizonWirelessvzwirelessMon, 28 Jul 2008 09:12:00 EST<![CDATA[How to profit from the Dark Knight Industrial Complex]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/21/how-to-profit-from-the-dark-knight-industrial-complex/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/21/how-to-profit-from-the-dark-knight-industrial-complex/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/21/how-to-profit-from-the-dark-knight-industrial-complex/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Dark Knight, the Batman movie starring Heath Ledger, did boffo box office: $158.3 million, according to Defamer. But this blockbuster will not just benefit Warner Brothers and DC Comics, which share parent Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX) with BloggingStocks. There are at least six companies that will benefit from Dark Knight's success. According to Seeking Alpha, these companies include:
  • Time Warner -- through its Warner Brothers and DC Comics subsidiaries are profiting most directly.
  • Comcast Corporation (NYSE: CMCSA) partnered with Warner Bros. to offer "behind-the-scenes footage, trailers, and mini movies on demand"
  • Verizon Communications, Inc. (NYSE: VZ) and Nokia Corporation (NYSE: NOK) collaborated in creating the Nokia6205 The Dark Knight Edition. Seeking Alpha reports that "This batphone targets superfans, with bat wallpaper, voice tones, screensavers, and the film's trailer pre-loaded."

Continue reading How to profit from the Dark Knight Industrial Complex

How to profit from the Dark Knight Industrial Complex originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>...52batmandan ...dark knightdark knight trailerdark knight viral si...DarkKnightDarkKnightTrailerDarkKnightViralSi...dc comicsDcComicsdcuimaximax 3dimax3dmattemattelmatterneil gaim...nokiatime warnerTimeWarnerverizonverizon wirelessVerizonWirelesswarner broswarner bros.warner brothersWarnerBrosWarnerBros.WarnerBrothersMon, 21 Jul 2008 18:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Verizon (VZ) wants Vodafone (VOD) out of wireless venture]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/27/verizon-vz-wants-vodafone-vod-out-of-wireless-venture/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/27/verizon-vz-wants-vodafone-vod-out-of-wireless-venture/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/27/verizon-vz-wants-vodafone-vod-out-of-wireless-venture/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Verizon (NYSE: VZ) is making a fairly concerted effort to get Vodafone (NYSE: VOD) out of its equity position in Verizon Wireless. The question is, why would Vodafone get out? Verizon Wireless makes a lot of money.

According to the FT, the head of Verizon, Ivan Seidenberg said, "Would I like to have 100 per cent of the earnings given we're doing 100 per cent of the work? Yeah, I would."

Verizon Wireless does not pay dividends to Vodafone, so it does not get much of a cash benefit from its piece of the pie, but the FT points out that the British company's stake is worth about $60 billion.

Reflecting on the debate, it would probably be in the best interests of Vodafone shareholders to sell out to Verizon. Their benefits of ownership are limited. Vodafone could use the cash for expansion in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Perhaps the greatest reason for Vodafone to make a graceful exit is the US market itself. Growth of wireless subscribers is slowing as the market reaches a point of saturation. Competition is tough, especially with AT&T (NYSE: T) having about the same number of subscribers as Verizon Wireless. A price war could take down margins at both companies.

Vodafone's stake may never be worth more than it is now.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

Verizon (VZ) wants Vodafone (VOD) out of wireless venture originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>TVerizon WirelessVerizonWirelessVODVZFri, 27 Jun 2008 11:22:00 EST<![CDATA[S&P thinks telecom stocks may be poised for a rebound]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/23/sandp-thinks-telecom-stocks-may-be-poised-for-a-rebound/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/23/sandp-thinks-telecom-stocks-may-be-poised-for-a-rebound/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/23/sandp-thinks-telecom-stocks-may-be-poised-for-a-rebound/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

During the challenging market conditions over the past year, the telecom sector has felt its fair share of the pain. BusinessWeek brings Standard & Poor's Todd Rosenbluth who suggests that some of these telecommunication stocks could now be good investments for traders as they have a safe dividend.

Despite worries tied to the slowing U.S. economy and increased competition, "we think that some of the concerns are overdone and believe selective stocks are attractively valued," Rosenbluth stated. Rosenbluth also noted that telecom stocks have started showing signs of recovery for the past few weeks, helped by the launch of new handsets and merger and acquisition agreements.

Some of investors' favorite companies are AT&T Co. (NYSE: T) and Citizens Communications Co. (NYSE: CZN). Rosenbluth believes that the launch of Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL)'s new iPhone, 3G iPhone, will stir increased demand for smartphones, helping such companies, while putting pricing pressure on some of their competitors.

Continue reading S&P thinks telecom stocks may be poised for a rebound

S&P thinks telecom stocks may be poised for a rebound originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLAlltelAppleATTCitizens CommunicationsCitizensCommunicationsczniPhonesmartphonesStandard PoorsStandardPoorsttelecomVerizonVerizon WirelessVerizonWirelessVZMon, 23 Jun 2008 13:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Service so bad, city of Los Angeles sues Time Warner Cable (TWC)]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/09/service-so-bad-city-of-los-angeles-sues-time-warner-cable-twc/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/09/service-so-bad-city-of-los-angeles-sues-time-warner-cable-twc/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/09/service-so-bad-city-of-los-angeles-sues-time-warner-cable-twc/#commentsFiled under: ,

For every person who had to wait forever for Time Warner Cable, Inc. (NYSE: TWC) to pick up the phone, for every customer who had to slog through an automated voice menu, then stew waiting to talk to a person, for every family that went days without TV or internet, Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo struck a blow Friday. On behalf of the city of Los Angeles, Delgadillo sued the top cable provider for southern California, saying its service was so bad it constituted fraud and deceptive advertising.

The city wants $2,500 for each instance, double if the victim was old or disabled. Part of the problem in Los Angeles stemmed from the company's complicated task of absorbing Comcast and Adelphia customers, not everyday business. Consumers had filed their own civil suit a while back.

Time Warner Cable stock dropped $1.23, or about 4%, Friday on somewhat heavy trading. The damages could add up to potentially millions of dollars. Or it could be one of those lame settlements that give customers useless coupons.

The direct impact of the civil suit isn't as much of a big deal -- yet -- as the broader implications. What if other cities or customers sue? How is this suit going to influence the opinion of someone who's deciding between Time Warner and Dish Network or DirecTV? Between Roadrunner and wireless broadband? For a long time, cable providers could offer lousy service because there was basically no competition. Now, they have to behave better or lose customers. Now that could be real money.

Service so bad, city of Los Angeles sues Time Warner Cable (TWC) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cablecable televisioncable tvCableTelevisionCableTvdirectvdish networkDishNetworkinthenewstwcverizonverizon wirelessVerizonWirelessMon, 09 Jun 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Verizon bought Alltel for $28.1 billion: Is Sprint Nextel next?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/09/verizon-bought-alltel-for-28-1-billion-is-sprint-nextel-next/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/09/verizon-bought-alltel-for-28-1-billion-is-sprint-nextel-next/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/09/verizon-bought-alltel-for-28-1-billion-is-sprint-nextel-next/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Now that Verizon Wireless has agreed to purchase privately held Alltel from its private equity owners (giving them a small profit and an out), what else is on tap for the soon-to-be largest wireless carrier in the U.S.? Verizon Wireless is chomping at the bit to overtake AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) as the largest wireless carrier in the U.S., and its acquisition of Alltel will give it an 8 million+ wireless subscriber advantage over Ma Bell.

Although Alltel's buyout by Verizon was expected last year, it's now going to finally happen. Both companies use the same technical wireless standard, so this will be an easy merger. There will be no issues like when Sprint merged with Nextel in 2005 and the two incompatible networks caused an epic failure of those two companies to merge into one. Speaking of Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S), where does it play into the Verizon-Alltel landscape? Does its WiMAX plans now become derailed with the Verizon announcement, adding more insult to injury about the state of the company?

If anything, look for Verizon to take a strong look at buying Sprint Nextel shortly after its deal with Alltel closes. There would be way more regulatory scrutiny than the Alltel deal (overlapping markets, etc.), but a one-two knockout punch like this would make Verizon Wireless the pre-eminent wireless carrier in the U.S. for a long time. AT&T would have no choice but to plead with Deutsche Telekom to buy T-Mobile USA, the nation's fourth-largest wireless carrier, and one who also shares the same type of technical network as AT&T. Perhaps 2009 will see some of the neatest consolidation in the wireless world yet.

Verizon bought Alltel for $28.1 billion: Is Sprint Nextel next? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AlltelfeaturedSprint NextelSprintNexteltelecom stockstelecommunicationsTelecomStockstelecoomVerizon buys alltelVerizon WirelessVerizonBuysAlltelVerizonWirelessVZwirelessMon, 09 Jun 2008 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Closing bell: Retail and tech ignore woes and oil gains]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/05/closing-bell-retail-and-tech-ignore-woes-and-oil-gains/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/05/closing-bell-retail-and-tech-ignore-woes-and-oil-gains/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/05/closing-bell-retail-and-tech-ignore-woes-and-oil-gains/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Shares were higher today after the weekly jobless claims were reported as 357,000, down 18,000 from last week. While new claims are down, the four week average of those filing for benefits was up to 3.086 million, the highest level since March 2004. The good news is that the markets largely ignored that S&P downgrade of bond insurers today. The stock market even ignored a $5.00 rise per barrel in oil today. Here are the unofficial closing levels today:

DJIA 12,598.10 (+207.62)
S&P500 1,403.30 (+26.10)
NASDAQ 2,549.94 (+46.80)
10YR-TNote 4.03% +(0.09%)
52-WEEK LOWS
TOP 10 ANALYST CALLS

Broadcom Corp. (NASDAQ: BRCM) was an example of just how strong today was by being up almost 3% at $28.90 late in the day. If you read trough the co-founder and former CEO's indictment charges you might think shareholders would have gone the other way.

Continue reading Closing bell: Retail and tech ignore woes and oil gains

Closing bell: Retail and tech ignore woes and oil gains originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alltellbond insurersBondInsurersbroadcomciena corporationCienaCorporationverizon wirelessVerizonWirelessThu, 05 Jun 2008 16:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Alltel rings up a $28.1 billion deal with Verizon Wireless]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/05/alltel-rings-up-a-28-1-billion-deal-with-verizon-wireless/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/05/alltel-rings-up-a-28-1-billion-deal-with-verizon-wireless/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/05/alltel-rings-up-a-28-1-billion-deal-with-verizon-wireless/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Traditionally, strategic buyers have an edge over financial buyers (that is, private equity funds). Essentially, they have the advantage of revenue and cost synergies. However, when debt became dirt cheap over the years, financial buyers had a big advantage and were able to out bid strategic bidders.

Of course, with the credit crunch, this is over. And, yes, strategic buyers are coming to the table - and even talking to the portfolio companies of private equity funds.



Continue reading Alltel rings up a $28.1 billion deal with Verizon Wireless

Alltel rings up a $28.1 billion deal with Verizon Wireless originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AlltelBCSCGSTPGVerizon WirelessVerizonWirelessThu, 05 Jun 2008 12:33:00 EST