Verizon posts $198m net loss, picks up healthy amount of new wireless subs
By Darren Murph 
posted July 23rd 2010 1:55PM
posted July 23rd 2010 1:55PM
Verizon Communications, the majority shareholder of Verizon Wireless, just tossed out its Q2 2010 earnings, and unlike the majority of the other big boys we've seen, this company actually lost money over the past few months. All told, the mega-corp posted a $198m net loss compared to a $1.48b net profit this time last year, but if you were to exclude "special charges" for a workforce reduction, Verizon as a whole would've seen net profits of $0.58 per share. When focusing strictly on mobile, Verizon Wireless managed to pick up 1.4 million net customer additions, which is 200,000 shy of the 1.6 million that AT&T recently picked up. What's crazy is that one carrier has the iPhone while the other doesn't, and it doesn't take the imagination of Peter Pan to figure out how those numbers would shift if Apple's smartphone somehow picked up a CDMA radio and headed over to Big Red. Other fun facts about VZW's second quarter include a 3.4 percent uptick in total revenues year-over-year, a 5.2 percent increase in service revenues and a staggering 28.3 percent boost in data revenues. With all that cash flowing in, is there really a need for these newfangled caps? Consumers say "no," but Sir Capitalism says "yes."Update: We've been pinged by Verizon and given some clarification to the awful mess known as filing quarterly reports in accordance with GAAP with varying shares of ownership. We also learned that Verizon Wireless added 665,000 new net wireless customers under contract in the prior quarter, whereas AT&T added 496,000 contract customers. It's pretty easy to make these numbers say whatever you want them to, apparently.
Verizon Reports Strong Wireless, FiOS Customer Growth; Increased Enterprise Revenues; Strong Cash Flow in 2Q
Results Include Costs for Voluntary Workforce Reductions, as Prior Cost- Reduction Initiatives Gain Momentum and Strategic Divestitures Are Completed
July 23, 2010 –
2Q HIGHLIGHTS
Consolidated
* $9.8 billion in cash flow from operations during 2Q 2010, up 29.8 percent from 2Q 2009; $5.5 billion in free cash flow (non-GAAP), up 76.7 percent.
* A loss of 7 cents per share, including 65 cents of earnings per share in adjustments, compared with 2Q 2009 EPS of 52 cents.
Wireless
* 1.4 million total net customer additions, excluding divestitures and adjustments, in 2Q 2010; 665,000 retail postpaid net customer additions in the quarter; continued low retail postpaid churn of 0.94 percent.
* 86.2 million retail customers; 92.1 million total customers, after divestitures and conforming adjustments related to the Alltel acquisition.
* 3.4 percent increase in total revenues from 2Q 2009; 5.2 percent increase in service revenues; data revenues up 23.8 percent; 30.3 percent operating income margin and 47.5 percent Segment EBITDA margin on service revenues (non-GAAP).
Wireline
* 196,000 net FiOS Internet and 174,000 net FiOS TV customer additions; 3.8 million total FiOS Internet customers and 3.2 million total FiOS TV customers.
* 11.4 percent increase in consumer ARPU from 2Q 2009; total broadband and video revenues of $1.8 billion, up 20.1 percent from 2Q 2009.
* 6.2 percent increase in strategic business services revenues; total global enterprise revenues up 0.6 percent from 2Q 2009.
NEW YORK - For second-quarter 2010, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) reported continued strong cash flow growth, coupled with improved margins for both its Wireless and Wireline business segments, and improved revenue trends for sales to global business customers.
The company reported a loss of 7 cents in basic earnings per share (EPS) in the quarter, which included $2.3 billion in pre-tax costs for workforce reductions associated with a second-quarter incentive offer that will lead to approximately 11,000 voluntary separations this year. This compares with earnings of 52 cents per share in the second quarter of 2009.
'Solid Improvement in Operational Results'
"Verizon showed solid improvement in operational results in the quarter," said Chairman and CEO Ivan Seidenberg. "In addition, the wireline spinoff to Frontier on July 1 improves our future growth profile. We see the opportunity to create additional shareholder value with a revenue portfolio that is now more heavily focused on wireless, FiOS and global IP."
Seidenberg added, "We have the network platforms in place, and the product and service innovations in the pipeline, to fuel the next generation of growth in our changing industry. Our cost-reduction efforts are gaining momentum, and trends in the global business market are showing signs of stabilization."
Consolidated Results Include Divestitures
Verizon's consolidated second-quarter 2010 results include wireline local exchange businesses covering 4 million access lines that were spun off and merged with Frontier Communications on July 1. Results also include certain wireless properties until they were divested in April and June to comply with conditions imposed in connection with regulatory approvals of last year's acquisition of Alltel. These wireless properties, covering more than 2 million customers, were held in a trust through the date of divestiture.
Items that negatively impacted Verizon's second-quarter 2010 net income were 52 cents per share associated with the voluntary incentive program for union-represented employees, about two-thirds of whom left the payroll in late June or early July; 6 cents per share for both Alltel merger integration costs and taxes associated with the divestiture of the Alltel trust properties; 4 cents per share in Frontier spinoff-related charges; and 3 cents per share for a one-time, non-cash revenue adjustment of $268 million, which was recorded to properly defer previously recognized wireless data revenues that will be earned and recognized in future periods.
Verizon's total operating revenues were $26.8 billion in second-quarter 2010, a decrease of 0.3 percent compared with second-quarter 2009.
Cash flow from operations totaled $16.9 billion in the first half of 2010, compared with $14.1 billion in the first half of 2009. Cash flow from operations totaled $9.8 billion in second-quarter 2010 alone, up 29.8 percent compared with second-quarter 2009.
Capital expenditures totaled $4.2 billion in the second quarter of 2010, down 3.6 percent from second-quarter 2009. Full-year 2010 guidance for capital expenditures remains in the range of $16.8 billion to $17.2 billion. In second-quarter 2010, free cash flow (non-GAAP; cash flow from operations less capital expenditures) totaled $5.5 billion, a 76.7 percent year-over-year increase.
Verizon's net debt (non-GAAP; total debt less end-of-period cash and cash equivalents) was $52.7 billion at the end of second-quarter 2010. The net debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio (non-GAAP; net debt divided by earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization adjusted for non-recurring or one-time items) was approximately 1.5 at the end of the quarter, and Verizon expects it to be lower by year-end 2010.
Wireless Momentum Continues: Top-Line Revenue Growth, Strong Profitability, Low Retail Postpaid Churn
Verizon Wireless continued to deliver strong margins and data revenue growth, and solid customer additions. In the second quarter of 2010:
* Verizon Wireless added 665,000 retail postpaid and 454,000 total retail customers in the quarter, excluding divestitures and adjustments, both increases over the first quarter of 2010.
* At the end of the second quarter, the company had 86.2 million retail customers, which represented nearly 94 percent of the company's wireless customers, the largest number of retail customers of any U.S. wireless provider.
* The company also added 896,000 reseller customers in the second quarter.
* The total number of customers at the end of the quarter was 92.1 million, after adding 1.4 million total net customers in the quarter and removing a net 2.1 million customers in connection with divestitures and conforming adjustments related to the Alltel acquisition.
* In addition, the company had 7.7 million "other connections" at the end of the quarter - such as machine-to-machine, eReaders and telematics - adding 264,000 net other connections in the quarter. This brings the number of total wireless connections to 99.7 million at the end of the second quarter.
* Retail postpaid churn, retail churn and total customer churn remained low, at 0.94 percent, 1.33 percent and 1.27 percent, respectively. All are the company's best levels in nearly two years.
* Retail service revenues in the quarter totaled $13.5 billion, up 4.2 percent year over year. Retail data revenue was up 23.4 percent to $4.7 billion. Service revenues in the second quarter were $14.0 billion, up 5.2 percent. Total revenues were $16.0 billion, up 3.4 percent year over year.
* Retail service ARPU (average monthly service revenue per user) grew 0.9 percent over the second quarter of 2009 to $51.56. Retail data ARPU increased to $17.85, up 19.4 percent year over year.
* Wireless operating income margin was 30.3 percent, an increase of 150 basis points, or 1.5 percentage points, year over year. Segment EBITDA margin on service revenues (non-GAAP) was 47.5 percent, up 120 basis points over second-quarter 2009.
Wireline Growth in Consumer and Enterprise Markets: Revenues Increase for FiOS and Strategic Business Services
Verizon continued to add customers for broadband and video services provided over its FiOS fiber-optic network, and revenues increased for advanced communications and related business services provided over Verizon's global IP (Internet protocol) network. In the second quarter of 2010:
* Verizon added 196,000 net new FiOS Internet customers and 174,000 net new FiOS TV customers. Verizon has posted consecutive quarterly gains in the number of customers using FiOS services since FiOS Internet was introduced in 2004, and by the end of the second quarter had 3.8 million FiOS Internet and 3.2 million FiOS TV customers.
* FiOS Internet penetration (customers as a percentage of potential customers) was 29.7 percent by the end of the quarter, with the product available for sale to 12.9 million premises. This compares with 28.1 percent and 11.0 million, respectively, at the end of second-quarter 2009.
* FiOS TV penetration was 25.9 percent by the end of the quarter, with the product available for sale to 12.4 million premises. This compares with 24.6 percent and 10.3 million, respectively, at the end of second-quarter 2009.
* Total wireline broadband and video revenues were $1.8 billion in the quarter, up 20.1 percent from second-quarter 2009. This includes FiOS broadband revenues, which grew 33.2 percent year over year. All FiOS-based services, including narrowband voice, generated 43 percent of consumer wireline revenues in second-quarter 2010, compared with 33 percent in second-quarter 2009.
* Consumer ARPU for wireline services was $80.76 in the quarter, up 11.4 percent compared with second-quarter 2009. ARPU for FiOS customers was more than $145.
* Global enterprise revenue totaled $4.0 billion in the quarter, an increase of 0.6 percent compared with second-quarter 2009 and an improvement from the 1.4 percent year-over-year decline in the first quarter of 2010. Sales of strategic enterprise services - such as security and IT solutions, as well as strategic networking - generated $1.6 billion, up 6.2 percent compared with second-quarter 2009.
* Segment EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) was 22.7 percent, compared with 21.7 percent in the first quarter of 2010 and 24.5 percent in the second quarter of 2009.
Additional Highlights
Wireless
* Verizon Wireless continued to lead the industry in cost efficiency. Monthly cash expense per customer (non-GAAP) decreased in the second quarter 2010 to $26.48, from $27.42 in the comparable period in 2009.
* In the second quarter, data revenues increased to 34.5 percent of all service revenues, up from 29.3 percent in the second quarter 2009.
* Verizon Wireless continued to invest in its broadband network, the nation's largest and most reliable 3G (third generation) network. Verizon's 3G network provides more coverage than any other U.S. carrier's and is available where 289 million people reside.
* Verizon Wireless plans to launch the nation's first 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) network in 25 to 30 markets by the end of this year and cover virtually all of its current nationwide 3G footprint by the end of 2013. In addition, as part of its 4G LTE network deployment plans, Verizon Wireless announced efforts during the quarter to work with rural companies to collaboratively build and operate a 4G network in those areas, using Verizon Wireless' 700MHz spectrum.
* In June, Verizon Wireless unveiled the much-anticipated DROID X by Motorola, the newest Android smartphone, which became available in stores and online last week. The Droid X features a large, high-resolution screen, 3G Mobile HotSpot capabilities, personal HD video capture and sharing, and is ready for Adobe Flash Player 10.1 when the software is released by Adobe. During the second quarter, the company also expanded its smartphone lineup with the LG Ally, an Android device; the LG Fathom, powered by Windows Mobile; and the BlackBerry Bold 9650 global smartphone. The company also introduced the Samsung Reality, which has a full suite of messaging options, and the Pantech Jest.
* During the second quarter, Verizon Wireless customers sent or received more than 180 billion text messages. Customers also sent nearly 4.2 billion picture/video messages and completed more than 25 million music and video downloads.
* Verizon Wireless ranked highest among wireless providers in small to mid-sized business customer satisfaction in the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 U.S. Business Wireless Satisfaction Study released in June.
Wireline
* Second-quarter 2010 operating revenues were $11.1 billion, a decline of 3.3 percent compared with second-quarter 2009. Second-quarter 2010 operating expenses were $10.9 billion, a decline of 0.3 percent compared with second-quarter 2009.
* Broadband connections totaled 9.3 million at the end of the second quarter 2010, a 2.5 percent year-over-year increase. This is a net increase of 28,000 from the first quarter 2010, as the increase in FiOS Internet connections more than offset a decrease in DSL-based High Speed Internet connections.
* As of the end of second-quarter 2010, the FiOS network passed 15.9 million premises.
* The wireline workforce totaled 110,600 at the end of the second quarter 2010. This is a decline of 3,800 compared with the end of the first quarter 2010. In the first half of 2010, Verizon reduced its wireline workforce by 6,100. More than 9,200 employees were subsequently transferred to Frontier as part of the July 1 spinoff.
* Verizon continued during the quarter to roll out global solutions that enable multinational enterprise, medium business and government customers to take advantage of cloud-based service delivery of key IT resources and applications. These included new cloud-based computing, data storage, security and unified communications offers, as well as expanded network coverage, enterprise mobility and professional service solutions. In addition, Verizon announced industry-specific solutions, including extension of its dedicated financial services network to Europe and data consulting services for healthcare providers.
* Continuing to broaden its global scope and capabilities, Verizon expanded its network infrastructure, adding a second data center in Hong Kong which will enhance the company's cloud and data center services in the Asia-Pacific region and provide direct access to its global network. The company also installed 18 additional Private IP edge routers for a total of 781 edge routers in 221 sites throughout 60 countries and added four new converged packet architecture switches in Tel Aviv, Israel; Rotterdam, Netherlands; Winnipeg, Canada; and San Jose, Costa Rica. This brings the total number of CPA switches to 146 in 129 sites across 35 countries.
* In addition to winning new business with a number of multinational corporate customers, Verizon entered into new agreements with several government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
NOTE: Comparisons are year over year unless otherwise noted. See the accompanying schedules and www.verizon.com/investor for reconciliations to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for non-GAAP financial measures cited in this news release.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 92 million customers nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.
Get Iphone and your will see record profit while AT&T will get tank !
@techlord Yeah iPhone is the cause I say.
What looks like a close race now will look like a joke by mid 2011 when:
- T-Mobile which is broke, still wont' afford the iphone, still for sale will be touting some 'fast 3.75G' in select markets
-Sprint will begin to realize due to their cost constraints rolling out Wimax is too slow, expensive and futile and going it alone with Clear was a bad idea will start software conversion to LTE (already admitted they'd be open to it)' and also to guarentee better handsets on par with VZ (companies already will need a CDMA/LTE hybrid for VZ)
-ATT will still be a slave to Apple and Antennagate blaming them for slow rollouts and congestion of 3G and showing some limited test of their LTE which wont even see the light of day till 2012 and will be even more sparse than their 3G (thats a sad accomplishment)
-MEANWHILE VZ will have close to half the country in 4G LTE with latency in 30ms range. (already promised 100 million people covered in over 30 markets by end of 2010!) Undoubtedly vz will still be pricey, but hey youll get what you pay for.
...And if you think Apple's going to wait till 2012 when ATT may have 4G for an iphone while VZ gets one awesome 4G DROID device after another starting after Christmas, you're nuts. ...now you get the picture.
@techlord Agreed! iPhone on Verizon would tank poor AT&T. Here's hoping those of us faithful to Verizon are gratefully rewarded for our patience.
@MikeyCole7878
You'll never see the iPhone. Poor verizon fanboys. All talk but no game
@techlord
Sad to hear that Verizon had to downsize it's workforce. It had to cut it operating costs perhaps. Good to know both Verizon and ATT grew their subscriber base. Of course, it begs the question where did the new subscribers come from?
@techlord I don't thnk people realize that Verizon COMMUNICATIONS lost money.
Not the wireless company. People need to distinguish the two.
@zepfloyd Tmob just posted their quarter. The story was on engadget I think. They had a pretty successful quarter as I understood.
Maybe my short term memory is causing some problems?
@TheZaccharaSyndicate Meh, I don't need an iPhone.
@techlord
"which is 200,000 shy of the 1.6 million that AT&T recently picked up. What's crazy is that one carrier has the iPhone while the other doesn't,.."
Because a phone doesn't make a coverage-trusted network.
@techlord Why are people complaining about Verizon's prices so much? You pay an extra $10 so what? Verizon has excellent coverage everywhere, urban and rural. Whereas AT&T can barely cover people in the middle of most cities. Verizon is also the only carrier who is going full speed ahead in terms of technological advancement. All the other networks are still deciding their plans, while Verizon is going to have LTE in 30 markets this Fall/Winter.
@zepfloyd
Hello! wake up to reality now....
1. The ONLY reason Verizon is even IN the game is because of their buy one and get one offer (allows them to add subscribers faster, but then it messes up their cost structure).
2. The Droid campaigns are very expensive. Whereas, Att splits the marketing between themselves and Apple, with ONE major launch a year, Verizon has a new Droid campaign every other month!
3. To put this all in perspective, Att sold 3.2M iphones in the just concluded Q. I doubt Verizon came close to that number in terms of new Android devices sold. That is across all devices for all manufacturers, including all the buy one get one offers etc.
4. Verizon made a mistake by turning down the iphone. Now they are in catch up mode. There hasn't been a single quarter since the release of the iphone where Verizon's earnings have come close to Att's. NOT ONE! So for Verizon to pretend that they are doing fine without the iphone is kinda hilarious. Just look at the numbers between att and Verizon! The numbers don't lie.
5. I bet the iPad data plans are also adding up for Att. I bet there must be at least 1M 3G iPads sold in the US, all with ATT data plans.
@TheZaccharaSyndicate
Enjoy your bumper and extremely spotty 3G coverage.
@zepfloyd wimax is actually cheaper than 3g for sprint. Wimax 2 next year
@zepfloyd Sorry, but these number prove people don't buy the provider OR the technology. Your logic is full of double standards the comflict with each other.
Sprint and Clear AND the cable companies will do well with WiMax. People DON"T care what the technology behind the service is. Only geeks do as is proven by Verizon, which is CDMA and doing well despite your anti-"whateveryonelseisusingtotransmitwillfail" tirade. And since wireless data modems cost nothing compared to cellphones, switching from provider to provider between WiMax and LTE is a non-issue anyway.
Latency? Once again, only geeks will care about another 20ms.
Also, why would Apple "be waiting" as you say, for 4G when Clear/sprint/etc are already deploying far ahead of everyone else?
None of your arguments hold water.
Before AT&T got iphone, their no where match Verizon.
@techlord Does. Not. Compute.
@techlord
Cingular was the best. I say there was a match against them.
@Drybones5
I miss Cingular so much.
@techlord
Grammar fail.
@Drybones5
Hahah what? Cingular had crappier/spottier service than AT&T
@Da Bears Fucking fanboys! cingular sucked even MOAR than AT&shiT
We'll there will be a lot less subscribers if they pull the same stunt AT&T did. I really hope they don't, they were doing so well bringing new phones to a great network.
Gotta wonder how exactly they lost so much money if they're doing so well.
Is it because of the LTE deployment?
@Prevacator
Verizon lost the most money due to the layoffs on the Verizon Communications side and not on the wireless side.
Droid does loss too I guess... I gonna see my droid get Bandwidth caps real soon.
@1mc I thought the Droid had been a runaway success... figured it would have bolstered Verizon's numbers.
@vqro The Droid line of phones IS a runaway success. Again, the loss is in the parent company, not VZ Wireless.
@Alex Joe Why bother. You aren't going to get iFools to understand this. The only company they know is apple and have a hard time understanding a company with divisions. What's sad is that Enapplets writers are just as dumb and immediately start talking about the iPhone. Nevermind that its being outsold by Android.
I looked into switching to Verizon. Its ridiculously expensive and not worth it.
AT&T is also stupidly expensive, but not as stupidly expensive as Verizon.
Since I'm tied to GSM, I switched to TMobile. The Even More Plus plans are about the best deal you'll find outside of Cricket Wireless.
@mmurfin87
mmmm if you have done your homework, you would see that VZW and AT&T prices mirror each other. Only difference right now is that you don't get unlimited data on AT&T for smartphones.
@m3nphls True, but the 2GB restriction seems to be one that almost no one would ever reach.
I hammer the crap out of my phone data wise, but when I am at home and work, it doesn't matter (wifi)
most people have access to a wifi network at least at their house, if not work at well.
@m3nphls Umm I pay 78.67 a month for AT&T with an iPhone with 2gigs of data a month, unlimited text and 350 mins unlimited night and weekend. Basically cheaper than any other service provider for a smartphone. Since where I live sprint blows. Verizon is great but to expensive for a single person. I'm lucky I get a corp discount on AT&T
@Jdubcsu
Like I said, only difference right now is that you don't get unlimited data with AT&T by just saving $5/month.
VZW: $59.99 for 450min, unlimited text and free nights/weekends + $30 Unlimited Data on smartphones.
AT&T: $39.99 450min Rollover with Nights&Weekends + $20 Unlimited text + $25 for 2GB Data.
You ain't saving much with AT&T since for $5 less you don't get unlimited data. Now VZW will switch to same pricing on data soon but only people who aren't heavy data users can save some money on AT&T with their $15/200MB data plan.
@Jdubcsu
sprint 60$ a month unlimited date/text. 500min
its the cheapest of any package for a smartphone
Must have been all those buy 1 get 1 free deals lols
@M4551V3
Yep. that's what I was thinking too.
I agree with the first post. get the iphone EVEN THOUGH I WONT USE ONE EVER AGAIN....EVEN IF THEY GAVE IT TO ME.....and att will go under soon thereafter. And when I say go under I mean decline a lot....I dont actually mean close business.****you have to point out these things when you are on a site where a lot of nerds and apple fanboys****
@Jomah7777
Why's that? AT&T has a much faster network. If iphone was on Verizon, apple would only see incremental increases in sales while seeing increased costs and loss of control.
@cardfan
"Much faster network" where it works. which is almost no where.
@m3nphls
Works fine in my area with more coverage than V. That's all that matters. Triple the 3G speeds as well.
@Jomah7777
....a lot of nerds and apple fanboys
and trolls Jomah, don't forget about the trolls
@Jomah7777
I also have great AT&T coverage in my area. Even after the 4.0.1 update I still get a full 5 bars throughout my house and into town (although I CAN now lose 1 bar when covering the left slit). I drop a call very rarely, in fact I've only had 3 dropped calls since I got my first iPhone 3G over 2 years ago. To be honest I'd rather take the faster 3G network simply because I have great coverage for it around here.
@cardfan Incremental sales increase? A Verizon iPhone would sell like crazy. Verizon may have technically slower networks now (not really) but in a few months Verizon will have LTE in more markets than AT&T's HSPA+ (which isn't even rolled out yet).
I was on Verizon for several years. Pretty much from the time I graduated high school until a year and a half ago when I switched to get the iPhone on AT&T. I had really good cell service on verizon, but they're charges and customer service in general were really bad. Bad enough that I left mid-contract to go to AT&T where my bill was only $10 more for the iPhone than it was on Verizon with a crappy featurephone. I would really like better 3G service from AT&T but as a whole my experience has been so much better with AT&T than Verizon. Verizon loves to load all sorts of crapware on their featurephones and then lock them down so you can't even put mp3's on them from you PC.
@purfikt
they stopped that practice about 1.5 years ago...GPS,WiFi are now unlocked...
@purfikt yeah. I got a lot more freedom on my Droid. Plus I ditched my iPod and loaded my music right on my phone.
@purfikt
Yeah, I was just speaking of featurephones like the krazr and the razr and the env2 I had when I was with them. They were all very handicapped when compared to the same models on other carriers.
Had they gotten the Droid sooner I would have stayed with Verizon, but I definitely don't regret my decision right now. Their rate plans and charges are ridiculous. Plus I get a 22% discount at AT&T through their premier program. I only saved 11% at Verizon through my workplace. Right now on AT&T i pay $74 after all fees and taxes for 450 minutes, rollover minutes, 200 texts, unlimited data (and I do mean unlimited, two months ago when I was still tethering I used 9.5 GB in one billing cycle), and free nights and weekends. I don't think I could get a plan with the same stuff for that cheap at Verizon.
@purfikt
I was on AT&T for several years. Pretty much from the time I graduated high school until a year and a half ago when I switched to get the Droid on Verizon. I had really good cell service on AT&T, but they're [sic] charges and customer service in general were really bad. Bad enough that I left mid-contract to go to Verizon where my bill was only $10 more for the Droid than it was on AT&T with a crappy featurephone. I would really like better 3G service from Verizon but as a whole my experience has been so much better with Verizon than AT&T. AT&T loves to load all sorts of crapware on their Android phones and then lock them down so you can't even put mp3's on them from you [sic] PC.
@sonicyoof
Wow, it's hard to even imagine the snarky-ness with which you fashioned that reply. It's too bad you can't troll blogs with FaceTime yet.