Verizon profit declines as pricier plans result in subscriber loss - Reuters

Oct 21 (Reuters) - Verizon Communications Inc's (VZ.N) nett fell 23% and it added fewer-than-expected wireless subscribers successful the 3rd 4th arsenic its raised prices drove immoderate customers to cheaper plans from fast-growing rivals AT&T Inc (T.N) and T-Mobile US Inc (TMUS.O).

The largest U.S. wireless bearer said connected Friday it mislaid 189,000 monthly bill-paying telephone subscribers successful its user concern aft it included further charges successful June, implicit and supra its pricey plans.

Shares fell 6% to their lowest successful implicit a decennary arsenic concern main Matt Ellis said higher prices for plans led to disconnections and warned the unit would proceed into the adjacent quarter.

Competition successful the U.S. telecoms markets is heating up aft Verizon and AT&T offloaded their media businesses and T-Mobile completed its merger with Sprint Corp to go wireless-focused companies.

While higher spending connected 5G infrastructure has jacked up costs, the companies are forced to support their plans affordable arsenic rising ostentation hammers user spending.

Verizon, whose plans are the astir expensive, added 8,000 nett caller monthly measure paying wireless telephone subscribers successful the quarter, good beneath Factset estimates of 35,400 additions.

Some analysts feared contention is catching up, portion galore said its precocious terms indispensable been seen arsenic its strength.

"The happening radical hide is the biggest institution successful the industry, they person the astir customers to suffer each quarter," Michael Hodel, manager of telecom and media probe astatine Morningstar said.

Its nett subscriber summation was powered by an summation successful its concern segment, which added 197,000 customers.

"Verizon's quality to support pricing powerfulness is simply a cardinal spot arsenic it navigates a reasonably saturated wireless market," Jamie Lumley, Third Bridge expert said.

While its third-quarter gross and nett bushed Refinitiv estimates, subcriber nonaccomplishment remains an overhang arsenic analysts said iPhone upgrades successful the vacation play are expected to beryllium weaker.

Net income fell to $5 billion, prompting Verizon to denote a program to trim yearly costs of betwixt $2 cardinal and $3 cardinal by 2025.

Reporting by Eva Mathews and Savyata Mishra successful Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur

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