These New Technologies Have Big Potential

Article Excerpt

AT&T and Verizon are investing huge sums in wireless frequencies (called ‘spectrum’ in the industry) and high-speed Internet networks. These outlays will help them compete in leading-edge technologies, and offset shrinking revenue from traditional telephone services. AT&T INC. $39 (New York symbol T; Income Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 6.0 billion; Market cap: $234.0 billion; WSSF Rating: Average) provides traditional local and long-distance services to over 61 million customers in 22 states. It also has 70 million wireless subscribers nationwide, and 14.2 million high-speed Internet customers. AT&T recently paid $6.6 billion for 700-MHz wireless spectrum licenses in a government auction. That’s equal to 39% of the $17.0 billion or $2.76 a share it earned in 2007. These airwaves can travel longer distances and penetrate thicker walls than regular 1,900-MHz cellular frequencies. That means AT&T needs fewer towers to cover the same area. The new spectrum will help the company take advantage of growing consumer and business demand for faster wireless downloads. New wireless…