Verizon Comms Stock Price, News & Analysis

Verizon is hosting the Citizen Verizon Assembly event on September 23, 2020, to address issues in education and student mental health. The assembly will feature celebrities like Yara Shahidi and Gabrielle Union, alongside educators and leaders. Verizon has expanded its Innovative Learning program, increasing data plans from 10GB to 30GB for eligible students and teachers. The initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and support 10 million youth with essential digital skills training. Verizon generated $131.9 billion in revenue in 2019, marking its 20th anniversary.

On September 18, 2020, Verizon Foundation announced a $300,000 donation to support communities affected by wildfires in California, Oregon, and Washington, as well as Hurricane Sally in Alabama and Florida. This includes $200,000 to the American Red Cross for fire relief and $100,000 to Feeding the Gulf Coast. Verizon is providing unlimited calling, texting, and data for affected customers until specific dates in September. Additionally, Verizon's Response Team is active in impacted areas, supporting first responders with resources and coordination.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) has announced the pricing of its second Green Bond offering, valued at $1 billion. Proceeds will primarily fund renewable energy purchase agreements to support solar and wind projects. This initiative aligns with Verizon's goals to source 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2035. The offering, closing on Sept 18, 2020, also emphasizes Verizon's commitment to diversity, partnering with minority-owned investment firms as lead underwriters.

Verizon has completed lab trials with Corning and begun trials with Samsung for new 5G mmWave in-building solutions aimed at enhancing indoor coverage. These solutions are expected to provide high throughput, capacity, and reliability in facilities such as hospitals and schools. The commercialization of these solutions will facilitate the creation of private 5G networks, enhancing performance and security for enterprise customers. Verizon plans to launch a commercial product by the end of 2020, further expanding its 5G Ultra Wideband network capabilities.

Verizon Media has unveiled enhancements to its Media Platform, focusing on evolving live streaming experiences and fan engagement. Key features include sub-second latency for live sports through a partnership with Phenix Real Time Solutions, enabling immersive multi-camera viewing and synchronized social experiences. New capabilities such as channel scheduling and syndication extend content reach, while Managed Slicer as a Service simplifies video feed management for broadcasters. Additionally, Smartplay Prebid and OTT Smart Auction aim to boost programmatic ad revenue for publishers.

Speed of Thought is a documentary directed by Mila Aung-Thwin that examines how Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband technology is revolutionizing sectors like healthcare, public safety, education, and transportation. Premiering at TechCrunch Disrupt and available on streaming platforms, the film showcases innovators tackling significant challenges with advanced connectivity. Notable features include a robotic medical device for remote procedures and augmented reality solutions for firefighters and education. Industry leaders emphasize the transformative potential of 5G for society's future.

Verizon Media launched OTT Smart Auction, a solution for over-the-top (OTT) publishers, enhancing ad inventory monetization. This new server-to-server integration allows programmatic demand to compete in real-time with reserved demand directly in a publisher's ad server. The OTT ad market is expected to double in three years, but traditional methods hinder efficiency. Key benefits include improved transparency in auction dynamics, increased revenue through optimized bidding, and a unified platform for both publishers and advertisers. The integration leverages Prebid Server's capabilities to support advanced ad experiences.

On September 14, 2020, Verizon launched Verizon Latino, an Apple Music room featuring Latin music for Hispanic Heritage Month. Customers can access Apple Music and enjoy exclusive content. Additionally, Verizon is collaborating with Univision for a live concert featuring Bad Bunny on September 20. The company emphasizes diversity with initiatives supporting the Latinx community, including a month-long program led by its employee group, SOMOS Verizon, and partnerships with media organizations for content highlighting Hispanic achievements.