Verizon 4Q Profit Drops 38 Percent; Wireless Sales Up; Data ARPU Increases 63 Percent
Posted by David Kaplan
Mon 29 Jan 2007 08:58 PM PST
Updated below, with details from conference call: Verizon (NYSE: VZ) on Monday reported a 38 percent drop in 4Q profit after divesting several businesses, but the telco added 2.3 million net wireless subscribers during the last three months of 2006.
Including the 2.3 million net customers added, the company’s Verizon Wireless business saw its U.S. subscriber base reach 59.1 million, up 15 percent from the same time a year ago. Other highlights included:
-- The telecommunications giant had net income of $1.03 billion, or 35 cents a share, for the quarter, down from $1.66 billion, or 59 cents a share, a year ago.
-- Verizon’s broadband FTTP network—over which customers receive FiOS Internet and FiOS TV services—passed a total of more than 6 million premises by the end of 2006.
-- Revenue in the latest quarter rose 26.1 percent to $22.6 billion.
-- On the data side (which includes mobile content, among other things) revenues doubled over the previous year, contributing $4.5 billion in revenues in 2006. In Q406, data revenues were 15.8 percent of all service revenues, up from 9.8 percent in Q505. Data service ARPU in Q4 increased by 63 percent over the year-ago quarter. The company had 34.3 million retail data customers in December—a 44 percent increase over Q405.
-- Data made up $7.91 of total service ARPU, up substantially year over year, and $0.75 sequentially.
-- About 35% of data revenue comes from business-focused applications. Revenues from its Internet access and e-mail products increased 120% year over year, and more than 50% of its data revenue growth comes from services other than messaging, primarily EVDO-based.
-- During Q4, Verizon Wireless customers exchanged 17.7 billion text messages—which it says is a company and industry record (not sure why they claim that)—and 353 million picture/video messages. Customers also completed more than 78 million downloads of games, ringtones, ringback tones and exclusive content.
phone card on 01 Jun 19When buying a phone system for your small business, consider that it's all about the acronyms. For example: Do you know a KSU from a VoIP? Before you buy, it's good to understand the differences among the types of systems and the terminology used, otherwise you may find yourself drowning in alphabet soup. Here are some of the terms and features that you need to consider when buying a phone system for your small business. Key Services Unit (KSU) In the more old-school in-office systems, a key system is typically used for employers with five to 40 employees. A key services unit (KSU) enables ordinary phones to handle multiple lines and make calls to other in-office extensions. KSU-less systems are a cheaper option for companies with fewer than 10 people: The phones contain the technology, and the system is not permanently wired into the office space. Private Branch Exchange (PBX) PBX systems fit companies with more than 40 employees, or companies that need more advanced, customizable options. Bulky PBX systems in closets are things of the past: With improved technology, the newer models can fit comfortably on a shelf or a desk.
