Steve Vachon

Editor’s note: Verizon reported its first quarterly net loss of wireless retail subscribers despite reinstating unlimited data plans – so what does the company do now? Technology Business Research Analyst Steve Vachon takes an in-depth look. HAMPTON, N.H. – The loosening of Verizon’s stronghold on the U.S. wireless market was highlighted in 1Q17 as the carrier reported its first quarterly net loss of wireless retail subscribers in its history last week. Verizon lost 307,000 postpaid customers in 1Q17 despite reinstating unlimited data plans in February, which TBR viewed as a last resort to protect market share as the company was...

Editor’s note: Verizon has announced a return to unlimited data plans, but T-Mobile remains a step ahead of competitors through its T-Mobile One strategy, says Technology Business Research Analyst Steve Vachon. HAMPTON, N.H. – Competitors continue to follow T-Mobile’s lead in the postpaid market, as T-Mobile’s latest earnings report from earlier this week shows. Through the launch of T-Mobile One, T-Mobile once again revolutionized the U.S. wireless industry, causing rivals to follow the company’s lead in its unlimited data strategy much in the same way it did by eliminating postpaid contracts at the start of its Un-carrier movement in...

Editor’s note: AT&T reports a year-to-year decline in consolidated revenue for the first time in nearly four years, reflecting its struggle to increase growth organically, says Technology Business Research analyst Steve Vachon. HAMPTON, N.H. – AT&T on Wednesday reported a year-to-year decline in consolidated revenue for the first time in nearly four years AT&T’s consolidated revenue declined 0.7% year-to-year to $41.8 billion in 4Q16, the first quarter the carrier has reported a year-to-year consolidated revenue decline since 1Q13. AT&T’s no longer gets the inorganic revenue lift from the DirecTV acquisition, which closed in late July 2015, and the company...

Editor’s note: Tepid holiday phone additions keep Verizon’s wireless revenue in decline as competitors’ unlimited data plans limited its subscriber growth in 4Q16, says Steve Vachon, Research Analyst at Technology Business Research. HAMPTON, N.H. – Verizon’s consolidated revenue declined 5.6% in 4Q16, largely due to the divestment of three wireline markets to Frontier Communications in April and lower wireless ARPU stemming from customers migrating to nonsubsidized pricing plans. Verizon’s wireless revenue growth was also limited by its lackluster postpaid phone net additions, which dropped to 167,000 in 4Q16 compared to 449,000 in 4Q15, as the carrier struggled to attract...

Editor’s note: T-Mobile is positioning itself to take its Un-carrier movement to the IoT realm, says analyst Steve Vachon of Technology Business Research. HAMPTON, N.H. – T-Mobile experienced its highest rate of year-to-year revenue growth (17.8%) since 4Q14, driven by the launch of the iPhone 7 in September. The annual launch of the latest iPhone is a choice time to target new customers, as many consumers are waiting for the new device to release before switching carriers. T-Mobile capitalized on this opportunity through the launch of its T-Mobile One unlimited data program in August, ahead of the iPhone 7...

Editor’s note: By moving to acquire Time Warner in a massive deal worth more than $85 billion, AT&T is positioning itself to be dominate in content creation and distribution, says Technology Business Research analyst Steve Vachon. HAMPTON, N.H. – AT&T will struggle to increase revenue in 2017 as the communications giant prepares to improve long-term profitability AT&T’s consolidated revenue rose 4.6% year-to-year due to the timing of the DirecTV acquisition and increased Business Solutions and International revenue, partially offset by lower Mobility revenue. Though TBR anticipates AT&T will report slight year-to-year revenue declines over the next year, the company...

Editor’s note: T-Mobile’s recent good news about record-low postpaid subscriber churn in the second quarter of this year is a sign that the wireless provider’s strategy is paying off against keen competition from Verizon, AT&T and Sprint, says Technology Business Research Analyst Steve Vachon. HAMPTON, N.H. – T-Mobile reported its lowest postpaid phone subscriber churn in its history in 2Q16 despite facing intensified competitive pressure from Sprint. T-Mobile’s Un-carrier initiatives are helping cement the operator’s subscriber base, despite customers having the option to enroll in less expensive service plans through Sprint or prepaid competitors such as Cricket. The trend...

Analysis: The latest analysis of wireless networks from RootMetrics ranks Verizon No. 1, but the communications provider is relying on much more than network quality for growth. Technology Business Research says Verizon is doubling down on investments outside its network to drive growth. HAMPTON, N.H. – ​By acquiring Yahoo, Verizon will become a more aggressive competitor against Facebook and Google in the digital advertising space as the communications giant remains focused on maintaining position as a premium wireless service provider. Verizon endured a challenging quarter in 2Q16 as consolidated revenue decreased year-to-year for the first quarter in over five years...