Verizon (VZ) to Acquire Frontier (FYBR) for $20 Billion, Closing Expected January 2026
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 16 2026
0mins
Should l Buy VZ?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Acquisition Progress: Verizon and Frontier Communications have received all necessary regulatory approvals and expect to finalize the $20 billion all-cash acquisition on January 20, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the strategic integration of both companies.
- Fiber Network Expansion: Upon completion of the transaction, Verizon's fiber footprint will expand to nearly 30 million passings across 31 states and Washington, D.C., which is expected to deliver enhanced value and more choices to millions of customers nationwide, strengthening market competitiveness.
- Stock Delisting Arrangement: Following the closing, Frontier's common stock will be delisted from Nasdaq, with the last day of trading anticipated to be January 16, 2026, impacting investors' holding strategies and market liquidity.
- Market Reaction Expectations: This acquisition is expected to not only increase Verizon's market share but also enhance service quality through resource and technology integration, likely resulting in positive impacts on future revenue growth.
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Analyst Views on VZ
Wall Street analysts forecast VZ stock price to fall
14 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
10 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 48.110
Low
43.00
Averages
46.42
High
51.00
Current: 48.110
Low
43.00
Averages
46.42
High
51.00
About VZ
Verizon Communications Inc. is a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides communications, technology, information and streaming products and services to consumers, businesses and government entities. Its Consumer segment provides wireless and wireline communications services. It also provides fixed wireless access (FWA) broadband through its 5G or 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) networks portfolio. The Company's Business segment provides wireless and wireline communications services and products, including FWA broadband, data, video and advanced communication services, corporate networking solutions, security and managed network services, local and long-distance voice services and network access to deliver various Internet of Things (IoT) services and products. It provides these products and services to businesses, public sector customers and wireless and wireline carriers across the U.S. and a subset of these products and services to customers around the world.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Investment Return Potential: Over the past decade, SCHD has achieved a 229% price return, with quarterly dividends increasing from $0.12 in 2011 to approximately $0.25 in early 2026, demonstrating its appeal and stability for long-term investors.
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- Acquisition Impact: The recent debt increase primarily stems from the $20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications, and the $53 billion spent on C-band spectrum in 2021, which, while enhancing network quality, has further exacerbated the debt load.
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- Revenue Continues to Rise: Verizon's overall revenue increased by 2.9% year-over-year to $34.4 billion, with service revenue rising 2.4% to $28.8 billion, indicating successful responsiveness to customer demand.
- Improved Profitability: Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) climbed 7.6% to $1.28, while EBITDA grew 6.7% to $13.4 billion, showcasing the company's dual advantages in cost control and revenue growth.
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