AT&T(T) ZACKS·2025-03-17 13:10Core Viewpoint - AT&T Inc. has shown strong stock performance, gaining 53.6% over the past year, outperforming its peers in the telecommunications industry, although it still lags behind T-Mobile US, Inc. [1] Group 1: Business Model and Strategy - AT&T's customer-centric business model is expected to benefit from increased mid-band spectrum deployment and fiber densification, enhancing broadband connectivity for both enterprise and consumer markets [2] - The company is committed to modernizing its 5G wireless network using Open RAN technology, aiming to cover over 300 million people with mid-band 5G spectrum by the end of 2026 [5] - AT&T's edge computing services, particularly through its Multi-access Edge Compute (MEC) solution, are designed to provide low-latency, high-bandwidth applications, enhancing data processing capabilities [6] Group 2: Infrastructure and Connectivity - Continuous investments in network infrastructure, including 5G and fiber networks, position AT&T for long-term growth and improved service access across the nation [4] - By 2029, AT&T plans to reach over 50 million locations with fiber, which includes 45 million through organic deployments and over 5 million through Gigapower [5] - The partnership with Google Cloud aims to enhance customer experiences by providing end-to-end solutions that leverage edge computing capabilities [7] Group 3: Financial Performance and Challenges - Despite growth in wireless services, AT&T faces challenges from declining legacy services and competitive pressures, particularly in its wireline division [8] - Earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026 have been revised down by 7% each, indicating bearish sentiments regarding the stock's future performance [10] - The competitive and saturated U.S. wireless market, along with spectrum management issues, poses significant challenges to AT&T's profitability [8][14]