Wireless Telecommunications

Comcast reported results for the third quarter (Q3) ended September 30, 2023. The company reported the domestic broadband average rate per customer increased by 3.9 percent and drove domestic broadband revenue growth of 3.8 percent. Fierce reported that Comcast continued to lose broadband subscribers in the third quarter, with executives predicting slightly higher losses for Q4. However, the company touted an uptick in broadband average revenue per user (ARPU).

Verizon Communications reported third-quarter results and raised its free cash flow guidance for 2023. The company's performance was highlighted by continued wireless service revenue growth, total broadband net additions, and improving profitability. Total broadband net additions of 434,000, representing the fourth consecutive quarter that Verizon reported more than 400,000 broadband net additions. Total broadband net additions included 384,000 fixed wireless net additions, an increase of 42,000 fixed wireless net additions from third-quarter 2022.

Recent telecommunications conferences have yielded one consistent disconnect – between wireless carriers seeking details about future spectrum allocations and government representatives offering vague assurances of better bandwidth to come. Consider the quizzing of Scott Blake Harris, senior spectrum advisor and director of national spectrum strategy at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, at ForumGlobal's 12th Americas Spectrum Management Conference in Washington on October 10.

T-Mobile released its third-quarter earnings for 2023. The company reported postpaid net account additions of 386,000 and postpaid net customer additions of 1.2 million, a decrease of 401,000 year-over-year. The company's postpaid phone net customer additions totaled 850,000. T-Mobile saw 557,000 high-speed internet customer additions, a decrease of 21,000 year-over-year. Total net customer additions were listed as 1.3 million, which decreased by 427,000 year-over-year. The total customer count increased to a company-record high of 117.9 million.

The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) awarded a total of $12 million through the Cell Towers Grant Program for 29 projects. Grant awards will be used to construct new towers that provide quality cellular service and greater 911 connectivity to high-cost areas. The program, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), is focused on investing in the expansion of cellular service statewide.

Here’s everything we have on deck for our November Open Meeting.

T-Mobile has achieved its year-end goal of covering 300 million people with Ultra Capacity 5G ahead of schedule. With additional network enhancements made, T-Mobile’s overall 5G footprint has expanded as well, now covering more than 330 million people or 98 percent of the population. Currently, more than 116 million people are relying on T-Mobile’s network nationwide. "We have been leaders in the 5G era from the start, deploying the largest, fastest, most awarded and most advanced 5G network in the country faster than anyone else," said Ulf Ewaldsson, President of Technology at T-Mobile.

Verizon released its third-quarter earnings and subscriber numbers for 2023. The company ended the quarter with approximately 10.3 million broadband subscribers, an increase of nearly 21 percent year over year. Total broadband net additions were 434,000, representing the fourth consecutive quarter that Verizon reported more than 400,000 broadband net additions. Total broadband net additions included 384,000 fixed wireless net additions, an increase of 42,000 fixed wireless net additions from third-quarter 2022. Verizon now has nearly 2.7 million subscribers on its fixed wireless service.

Policymakers inundated with self-serving arguments for specific spectrum allocation need ways to evaluate which actually advance the public interest. By focusing on the goal of productive spectrum use, one can differentiate between reasoning that would enhance productivity and that which would only advance private interests.

Dish and T-Mobile have resolved their dispute over 800 MHz spectrum, with Dish agreeing to pay $100 million now toward the spectrum, in exchange for an extension to buy the spectrum fully. Dish made an SEC filing on October 19, saying the two companies entered into an amendment to their License Purchase Agreement, extending the date by which Dish may purchase the 800 MHz spectrum to April 1, 2024.