Verizon enhances connectivity through satellite integration, enabling messaging in remote areas, and partnering with AST SpaceMobile for expanded service.
Quiver AI Summary
Verizon announced a significant advancement in satellite and terrestrial telecommunications, marking a new era in connectivity with the help of astronaut Buzz Aldrin and its Original Test Man, Paul Marcarelli. This initiative focuses on integrating satellite technology to enhance communication, especially in remote areas where traditional cellular networks may not reach. Verizon is introducing satellite messaging features in collaboration with Skylo and plans to leverage AST SpaceMobile’s satellites to provide direct cellular service. With recent FCC approval for AST's beta service, Verizon aims to ensure reliable connections for its customers, facilitating emergency communications and expanding network coverage to nearly all areas in the U.S., while also utilizing satellite technology for rapid deployment in inaccessible locations.
Potential Positives
- Verizon is enhancing its telecommunications capabilities by integrating satellite technology, improving overall network reliability and connectivity for customers.
- The addition of satellite messaging features allows customers to send SOS messages in areas lacking cellular coverage, enhancing safety and emergency communication.
- A strategic partnership with AST SpaceMobile, backed by a substantial $100 million investment from Verizon, aims to provide direct-to-cellular services, ensuring connectivity for consumers across the continental United States.
- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted AST Special Temporary Authority, enabling beta service with Verizon smartphones, facilitating advanced connectivity options without the need for additional software or device updates.
Potential Negatives
- Over-reliance on satellite technology may raise concerns regarding the reliability of the existing terrestrial network, implying potential shortcomings in service where traditional connections remain critical.
- The strategic partnership with AST SpaceMobile requires a significant financial commitment of $100 million, which could raise questions about Verizon's allocation of resources and the potential financial burden it may impose should the venture not yield desired results.
- The focus on satellite messaging features could be seen as a response to existing coverage gaps, potentially indicating unresolved issues in their cellular service that customers may still experience.
FAQ
What new advancements has Verizon made in satellite telecommunications?
Verizon has integrated satellite messaging features to enhance connectivity in areas lacking cellular coverage, improving the reliability of its network.
How does satellite messaging work with Verizon?
Select devices can utilize satellite messaging for emergency SOS communications and location sharing, ensuring connectivity in remote areas.
Who is Verizon partnering with for satellite services?
Verizon is collaborating with Skylo for satellite messaging features and has partnered with AST SpaceMobile to enhance direct-to-cellular services.
What is the significance of Ast SpaceMobile's new approval?
The FCC granted AST Special Temporary Authority to test satellite connections with Verizon smartphones, enhancing voice and data accessibility.
How does Verizon use satellites in emergency situations?
Verizon employs nearly 300 satellite-based portable network assets to ensure connectivity for first responders and in locations where fiber is compromised.
Disclaimer: This is an AI-generated summary of a press release distributed by GlobeNewswire. The model used to summarize this release may make mistakes. See the full release here.
$VZ Congressional Stock Trading
Members of Congress have traded $VZ stock 2 times in the past 6 months. Of those trades, 0 have been purchases and 2 have been sales.
Here’s a breakdown of recent trading of $VZ stock by members of Congress over the last 6 months:
- SENATOR SHELDON WHITEHOUSE has traded it 2 times. They made 0 purchases and 2 sales worth up to $30,000 on 10/29.
To track congressional stock trading, check out Quiver Quantitative's congressional trading dashboard.
$VZ Insider Trading Activity
$VZ insiders have traded $VZ stock on the open market 2 times in the past 6 months. Of those trades, 0 have been purchases and 2 have been sales.
Here’s a breakdown of recent trading of $VZ stock by insiders over the last 6 months:
- KYLE MALADY (EVP and Group CEO-VZ Business) has made 0 purchases and 2 sales selling 40,000 shares for an estimated $1,620,600.
To track insider transactions, check out Quiver Quantitative's insider trading dashboard.
$VZ Hedge Fund Activity
We have seen 1,309 institutional investors add shares of $VZ stock to their portfolio, and 1,444 decrease their positions in their most recent quarter.
Here are some of the largest recent moves:
- GQG PARTNERS LLC added 24,735,386 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q3 2024, for an estimated $1,110,866,185
- ARISTOTLE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC added 22,788,342 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q3 2024, for an estimated $1,023,424,439
- BLACKROCK, INC. removed 6,958,835 shares (-2.0%) from their portfolio in Q3 2024, for an estimated $312,521,279
- AMUNDI removed 6,376,325 shares (-25.1%) from their portfolio in Q3 2024, for an estimated $286,360,755
- MACQUARIE GROUP LTD removed 6,161,800 shares (-67.4%) from their portfolio in Q3 2024, for an estimated $276,726,438
- VOYA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC removed 6,103,501 shares (-49.8%) from their portfolio in Q3 2024, for an estimated $274,108,229
- CAPITAL RESEARCH GLOBAL INVESTORS removed 6,086,701 shares (-31.9%) from their portfolio in Q3 2024, for an estimated $273,353,741
To track hedge funds' stock portfolios, check out Quiver Quantitative's institutional holdings dashboard.
Full Release
NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Verizon is pushing the boundaries of satellite and terrestrial telecommunications convergence. Satellites are no longer reserved for the extraordinary—they are woven into the everyday, and are being used to help connect and power customers’ lives.
A lot has changed since 2014 when Verizon’s famous test man roamed the country asking “Can you hear me now?” Now he’s back, and reaching the limits of space with the help of American icon and astronaut Buzz Aldrin. They’re partnering to show how America’s largest network just got better.
“Fifty-six years ago I was one of the select few that made it into Space and the first team to help America conquer the moon,” said Buzz Aldrin, General USAF, Doctor of Astronautics. “Back then, Space was the great unknown, and now we’ve never been closer to it. I can’t look up in the sky without seeing a satellite fly by. It’s remarkable to see how far the human race - and technology - has come.”
“It’s been 10 years since I last asked America “Can you hear me now?,” said Paul Marcarelli, the Original Verizon Test Man. “Back then dead zones were everywhere and it’s safe to say today they are only in the most remote places like the dark side of the moon. Verizon’s always been on a mission to give its customers the very best experience, anticipate their changing needs and drive innovation. Satellite is for sure the next frontier.”
Freedom to message anywhere with satellite-power.
Verizon engineers are relentlessly focused on providing the most reliable network experience for customers. Verizon’s network covers more than 99% of where people live, work and play, leaving very few places throughout the country where customers can’t connect. With the addition of satellite back-up to Verizon’s already robust network, Verizon is making the largest network even better.
Satellites play a crucial role in making connectivity with Verizon even more reliable, enabling text messaging in the few areas where traditional terrestrial-based cellular networks might not reach. Here’s how:
Customers with select devices have access to satellite messaging features to enhance connectivity in areas without cellular coverage, allowing customers to send an emergency SOS message and provide their location.
Verizon is collaborating with Skylo to make satellite messaging features and location detection available for customers with select Android devices.
And recently, AST SpaceMobile and Verizon announced a strategic partnership with a commitment of $100 million from Verizon, to provide direct-to-cellular AST SpaceMobile service when needed for Verizon customers. The combination of Verizon’s highly reliable terrestrial mobile network, use of the multi-operator 850 Mhz band and AST’s commercial satellite array in low Earth orbit, is planned to enable cellular consumers to stay connected wherever they are, anywhere in the continental United States.
This week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted AST Special Temporary Authority (STA) authorizing beta service in the United States. This approval enables AST SpaceMobile’s first five commercial BlueBird satellites, operating in low Earth orbit today, to test satellite connections with Verizon smartphones supporting voice, full data and video applications, and other native cellular capabilities, without the need of any specialized software or device support or update.
Satellites provide reliable service in emergency situations.
Verizon utilizes nearly 300 satellite-based portable network assets to ensure connectivity where fiber cables are unavailable or compromised. These assets provide temporary network access for first responders and in areas with limited permanent infrastructure, or for linking cell sites to the broader network when fiber cables are compromised due to power outages or physical damage.
Satellite connections speed up delivery of service to customers in remote areas.
Verizon uses satellite connections as backhaul for cell sites in remote areas (like forests and mountain tops) where traditional wired connections like fiber are not yet available. Satellite connections can be set up quickly compared to laying fiber, particularly in areas with significant geographical or logistical barriers. This rapid deployment is a useful solution while fiber optics is being planned and deployed. This allows cell sites to be operational and provide service while waiting for the installation of a more robust and high-capacity connection.
* "Largest network" based on total postpaid phone connections publicly reported by Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T during the third quarter of 2024.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) powers and empowers how its millions of customers live, work and play, delivering on their demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity and security. Headquartered in New York City, serving countries worldwide and nearly all of the Fortune 500, Verizon generated revenues of $134.8 billion in 2024. Verizon’s world-class team never stops innovating to meet customers where they are today and equip them for the needs of tomorrow. For more, visit
verizon.com
or find a retail location at
verizon.com/stores.
VERIZON’S ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media contacts and other resources are available at
verizon.com/news
. News releases are also available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit
www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Karen Schulz
864.561.1527
Karen.schulz@verizonwireless.com
This article was originally published on Quiver News, read the full story.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
