Latest news with #cable
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Stocks to Watch Friday: Charter, Novo Nordisk, Applied Materials
↗️ Charter Communications (CHTR): The company agreed to buy closely held rival Cox Communications for $21.9 billion, bringing together two of the biggest broadband and cable operators in the U.S. Shares in Charter rose about 1%. Sign in to access your portfolio
Phone Arena
5 days ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
Verizon's not scared of cable MVNO's mobile push – says it wins either way
Verizon's feeling pretty confident these days when it comes to competing with cable companies like Comcast and Charter in the mobile space. Even though those cable giants have been gaining customers fast, Verizon says the tide may be turning. At a recent investor event, as LightReading reports, one of the company's top execs shared why he thinks Verizon is actually in a strong position – both when it wins and when it loses customers. Verizon 's chief revenue officer, Frank Boulben, says the company is continuing to gain ground against cable MVNOs like Comcast's Xfinity Mobile and Charter's Spectrum Mobile. Boulben says that he thinks these MVNOs have peaked, and that Verizon 's "port ratios" have been improving against the mobile offerings from US cable a "port ratio" is the number of customers a wireless provider gains from competitors through porting, compared to the number of customers it loses to competitors. This number indicates how well a carrier is competitively against its rivals. According to Boulben, these MVNOs are probably starting to lose some of their mobile customers, even if they aren't disclosing it. He says that's how Verizon can explain the port ratios that are now starting to improve. Image Credit - PhoneArena Both Charter and Comcast recorded record gains in the first quarter of 2025. Actually, the US cable industry captured in total of 886,000 mobile lines during the period, which is an improvement over the 804,000 lines a year ago. On the other hand, Verizon lost 289,000 postpaid phone customers during the first quarter, its worst result on record... Of course, Verizon runs the wireless network that these two MVNOs operate on, but it seems the carrier is doing just fine in that partnership. Apparently, it's even helping Verizon as it adds value or enhances its profitability per share. Boulben explains that when Verizon loses a retail customer to the cable companies, it loses the spread between retail and wholesale. However, when cable companies acquire a customer from somebody else in the market, Verizon gets the wholesale revenue. Basically, when you add up the spread it loses and the wholesale it gains, Verizon seems to be winning. Meanwhile, the Verizon exec also says that MSOs (Multiple System Operators, or cable companies) are taking less from Verizon than its fair share of the market. It's reported that Verizon is now trying to renegotiate its MVNO agreements with Comcast and Charter, but Boulben didn't comment on those efforts. In the meantime, Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg, during the company's quarterly earnings conference call, said that Verizon has a very good relationship with its MVNO partners. It's possible that the FWA (Fixed Wireless Access) business is complicating Verizon 's MVNO negotiations, underlines LightReading. There are similar offerings from Verizon 's competitors AT&T and T-Mobile, and those cut into the core broadband businesses of most of the cable providers in the country. Boulben also says he hasn't seen a change in the NPS (Net Promoter Score) of cable companies. NPS reflects customer loyalty, or pretty much how likely customers are to recommend a carrier, a company, or a product to someone else. According to Boulben, there are still some practices MVNOs do that customers hate. | Image Credit - PhoneArena He notes that the MVNOs still use some practices that customers hate. For example, promotional roll-off. He notes that Verizon stopped doing that practice on Fios almost five years ago, and he claims the carrier didn't take a hit when it stopped it. Boulben notes that customers value transparency, and a pain point for customers is that you have a price year one, and then, at the end of the first year, you're faced with an inevitable price hike of 30 or 40%. And indeed, this practice is pretty annoying, if I may add. Recently, Boulben started speaking as a Verizon representative among investment banks. He was also the person that the carrier gave the responsibility of warning about a slowdown in the growth of new customers. This led to Verizon 's shares plummeting in March.
CNET
25-05-2025
- CNET
Memorial Day Deals: You Can Grab This Impressive 100W Baseus USB-C Cable at a 10% Discount If You're Quick
If your current charging cable has been a victim of wear and tear and is fraying at the ends, it might be time to swap it out. There are a lot of options in the market, and if you don't want to settle for an ordinary USB-C cable, this Baseus USB-C to USB-C fast-charging cable saves the day. This one is built to handle heavy use, high-speed charging and even includes a built-in display that shows you the speed of charging. As part of Memorial Day celebrations, you can save 10% on the cable by using Amazon's on-page coupon. This 6.6ft long cable usually retails for $19, but the current coupon drops it to just $17. We know this isn't the steepest discount out there, but it is still decent, and it might not last long. What sets this cable apart is its built-in LED display that shows the real-time charging power so you always know how efficiently your device is charging. Whether you're juicing up a laptop, phone or tablet, the cable automatically detects and adjusts to the right voltage and current, thanks to its special E-Marker chip. This chip ensures secure, fast charging up to 100 watts, which means it can power most modern laptops just as easily as your phone or earbuds. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Durability is another big win here. The cable is designed with reinforced connectors and a dual-layer build that holds up to bending, twisting and everyday wear. That means no more worrying about your cable giving out after a few months. From MacBooks to Samsung Galaxy phones, the USB-C connection makes it a great universal option to keep in your backpack or at your desk. If you want a reliable fast-charging cable that also shows you exactly what it's doing, this deal is worth a look. Why this deal matters Most of the tech devices you have require a cable, so this Memorial Day deal is a great chance to stock up or replace your old ones without paying the full price. Make sure you clip the on-page coupon to get the discount. Looking for some more fantastic deals under $25? CNET's team of experts has you covered. Additionally, we've rounded up some of the best savings to be had on Apple products, Anker's cables, headphones, speakers and more. When will this deal expire? We can't say how long this deal will exactly last but since it is a part of the Memorial Day sale at Amazon, it is likely going to end soon. Memorial Day is tomorrow, and Amazon might wrap up the sale on the 26th as well, as the holiday weekend comes to an end. That said, we are spotting deals expire sooner as well. If you spot something you have been eyeing for a while, now is a great time to act before it is too late.
CNET
23-05-2025
- CNET
Choosing Between Cable and Fiber Internet: What Helped Me Decide
There are several kinds of internet technologies in use today, including satellite, DSL and fixed wireless, but none of them come close to cable and fiber when it comes to offering fast, reliable internet. Nobody likes slow, inconsistent internet. So after having to deal with buffering, lag and regular outages, I finally decided to find out which kind of internet would be the best. Here's what I found out. Fiber is the undisputed ruler when it comes to speed and reliability. With a fiber connection, you'll get symmetrical upload and download speeds, congestion won't be a common issue and your connection will be more stable. All of those factors make it perfect for streaming, gaming and remote work. Plus, fiber is also future-proof. But cable isn't exactly a bad option. It's still the more widely available one, comes in cheaper up front and ISPs usually bundle it with TV and phone services, making it the more practical choice for many households. So, which one should you pick? We made this guide breaking down the pros, cons and key differences between cable and fiber internet to help you make the right choice for your home and your budget. Coaxial internet cables vs. fiber-optic internet cables The difference between cable and fiber internet starts with how the service reaches your home. Locating local internet providers Cable internet uses coaxial cables, the same ones that bring cable TV to your home. These cables consist of a solid or woven copper wire surrounded by insulating and protective sheathings. The cables are an effective means for transmitting various signals, including those for your internet connection, but signal strength and quality can lessen with distance, interference and network congestion. Fiber internet uses thin glass strands called fiber-optic cables to carry data, such as your internet service, via light signals. The technology can carry greater amounts of data at faster speeds than coaxial cables and is also better equipped to retain signal strength and quality over long distances, like across the ocean. The downside of fiber-optic cables is that they are more expensive than coaxial cables, and laying new lines is a logistical challenge. As a result, cable internet boasts far greater availability than fiber. Let's get into some of the details of fiber internet and cable internet and the benefits, drawbacks and affordability of both. Cable vs. fiber quick comparison Internet type Connection Starting monthly price Download speed range Upload speed range Nationwide availability Cable Coaxial cable $15-$120 100-2,000Mbps 10-200Mbps 82% Fiber Fiber-optic cable $20-$900 100-50,000Mbps 100-50,000Mbps 43% Show more (0 item) Shop providers at my address Cable internet pros Availability : Approximately 82% of US households are serviceable for broadband speeds of 100 megabits per second down and 20Mbps up. : Approximately 82% of US households are serviceable for broadband speeds of 100 megabits per second down and 20Mbps up. Low cost : Cable providers may have the cheapest introductory rates on home internet. : Cable providers may have the cheapest introductory rates on home internet. Versatility: Cable modems can typically be set up anywhere in the home, which may allow for a better Wi-Fi connection. Cable internet cons Speeds : Cable internet doesn't match the download speed potential of fiber, and upload speeds are significantly slower. : Cable internet doesn't match the download speed potential of fiber, and upload speeds are significantly slower. Network congestion: Peak usage times can result in slower speeds to the home. Peak usage times can result in slower speeds to the home. Fine print: This is provider-specific, but with cable internet, you're more likely to encounter price hikes, data caps, equipment fees and contracts. Fiber internet pros Speeds : Fiber is the fastest internet connection type, and upload speeds can match download speeds. : Fiber is the fastest internet connection type, and upload speeds can match download speeds. Reliability : Fiber-optic lines are less susceptible to network congestion and interference. : Fiber-optic lines are less susceptible to network congestion and interference. Value: Compared to cable, fiber plans often have a lower cost per Mbps, along with fewer fees and price hikes. Fiber internet cons Availability: Less than half of US residences are serviceable for fiber internet, according to recent data from the Federal Communications Commission. Less than half of US residences are serviceable for fiber internet, according to recent data from the Federal Communications Commission. Pricing : Fiber internet may have a higher starting price than cable internet. : Fiber internet may have a higher starting price than cable internet. Bundling: Few fiber providers also offer TV or other home services, limiting the availability of internet bundles. Cable vs. fiber internet availability Fiber availability is growing but is still far behind cable internet. FCC You're nearly twice as likely to be serviceable for cable internet than fiber internet. Cable connections are available to more than 82% of US households, whereas fiber coverage lands around 43%, according to the FCC. Both cable and fiber providers largely operate in urban and suburban areas, but cable often provides more broad and consistent coverage throughout a given location. Fiber availability is limited to select areas in a city, and serviceability may vary from one neighborhood to the next. My hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, is a good example. The main local cable provider, Spectrum, is available to 93% of the city's residential addresses. Two major fiber ISPs, AT&T Fiber and Google Fiber, serve the area, but only around 60% of Charlotte addresses are serviceable for fiber internet. Top 5 cable internet providers by availability Top 5 fiber internet providers by availability If you're shopping for cable or fiber internet, you may encounter one or more of the providers above. Then again, there are hundreds of regional and hyper-local cable and fiber internet providers across the US. The available providers in your area will play a role in how much your internet costs, what speeds you can get and other service conditions. Cable vs. fiber plans and pricing Plan selection and pricing will vary by provider, but cable is commonly the best source of cheap internet, at least for the first year or two of service. Cable providers such as Astound, WOW and Xfinity, for example, have introductory rates as low as $20 to $25 a month for download speeds ranging from 150 to 300Mbps. Fiber internet is available for $20 to $30 a month -- Ziply Fiber and Frontier Fiber offer 100Mbps ($20) and 200Mbps ($30) plans, respectively -- but, for the most part, expect to pay at least $40 to $50 monthly for service. AT&T Fiber, Quantum Fiber and Verizon Fios are $50 to $55 per month in most locations, while Google Fiber's cheapest plan starts at $70. Cheap cable internet plans Source: CNET analysis of provider data Cheap fiber internet plans Plan Starting price Max download speed Cost per Mbps Equipment fee Ziply Fiber 100/100 $20 100Mbps 20 cents $12 (optional) Frontier Fiber 200 Read full review $30 200Mbps 15 cents None Metronet 100 Read full review $30 100Mbps 30 cents None Altafiber Fioptics 100 $35 100Mbps 35 cents $12 (optional) Kinetic Fiber 300 $40 300Mbps 13 cents $11 (optional) Brightspeed Fiber 200 $50 200Mbps 25 cents None Quantum Fiber 500 $50 500Mbps 10 cents None Verizon Fios 300 Read full review $50 300Mbps 17 cents None Show more (3 items) Shop providers at my address Source: CNET analysis of provider data Choosing the cheapest internet plan from a cable or fiber provider often means accepting the slowest speeds. As you get into faster speed tiers -- 500Mbps to 1,000Mbps, or 1 gigabit per second -- pricing is a bit more evenly matched, although cable may still have the advantage, depending on the provider. In select areas, Astound, Spectrum, WOW and other cable ISPs have lower introductory pricing on gig service than you'll find with most fiber providers. Just keep in mind that while cable internet's low pricing is tempting, it may not last long. Consider introductory and standard pricing Cable internet may start out cheaper, but many providers have steep price increases after the first year or two. Depending on the plan you choose, Astound, Mediacom and Xfinity rates can increase by $30 to $50 or more once the introductory pricing expires. Monthly pricing is a bit more stable with fiber internet. AT&T Fiber has no set price increases after 12 months, Verizon Fios offers a price guarantee of two to four years and Quantum Fiber will lock in your monthly rate for as long as you keep your plan. When comparing cable and fiber internet providers, be sure to evaluate introductory and standard rates. If you go with cable for the cheaper initial pricing, keep an eye on your bill and be ready to switch internet providers when the promotional pricing period ends. Cable vs. fiber internet speeds Like pricing, available speeds will vary by provider, but download speeds will probably be faster with fiber. Upload speeds will definitely be faster. Most cable and fiber internet providers offer download speeds up to a gig. A few cable ISPs offer speeds higher than a gig -- Astound goes up to 1.5Gbps, WOW has a 1.2Gbps plan and Xfinity stretches to 2Gbps in select areas -- but a single gig is typically the standard max for cable. With fiber internet, it's not uncommon to have a single gig speed tier, plus multi-gigabit plans with speeds of 2Gbps, 5Gbps, 8Gbps or higher available. Ziply Fiber offers the fastest home internet plan I've encountered with maximum speeds of 50Gbps, or 50,000Mbps. Fastest cable internet plans Source: CNET analysis of provider data Fastest fiber internet plans Plan Starting price Max download speed Max upload speed Ziply Fiber 50 Gig $900 50,000Mbps 50,000Mbps Google Fiber 8 Gig Read full review $150 8,000Mbps 8,000Mbps Quantum Fiber 8 Gig $165 8,000Mbps 8,000Mbps AT&T Fiber 5 Gig Read full review $245 5,000Mbps 5,000Mbps Frontier Fiber 5 Gig Read full review $130 5,000Mbps 5,000Mbps Metronet 5 Gig Read full review $110 5,000Mbps 5,000Mbps Verizon Fios 2 Gig Read full review $110 2,300Mbps 1,500Mbps Kinetic 2 Gig $100 2,000Mbps 2,000Mbps Show more (3 items) Shop providers at my address Source: CNET analysis of provider data Notice that with cable internet plans, upload speeds are significantly slower than downloads. That's not necessarily a big deal as upload speeds play less of a role in our internet use (my colleague, Joe Supan, notes that his cable upload speeds are more than enough). Still, it's something to consider when evaluating cable versus fiber internet services. Cable vs. fiber additional considerations Price and speed are the two most important factors when choosing an internet provider, but that's not all you will want to take into account. Fees and contracts can have an impact on your satisfaction as a customer. Again, these things are more provider-specific than the technology, but I find fiber to be more favorable. Equipment, data caps and contracts Equipment rental fees can easily add $10 to $15 to your monthly bill, perhaps more if you have a mesh system with multiple pods. Select cable and fiber providers include equipment rental at no extra cost, but the scale tilts more to fiber. Astound offers free equipment rental. Xfinity may include free equipment with select plans, in select areas. Spectrum includes a free modem lease, but renting a router for Wi-Fi will add $10 to your monthly internet cost if you go with the 500Mbps plan. Cox, Mediacom and others may charge $13 to $15 to rent a gateway router. In contrast, AT&T Fiber, Frontier Fiber, Google Fiber, Quantum Fiber and Verizon Fios, among others, offer free equipment rental. The only potential downside to fiber is that you may be limited as to where you can put your router. Most homes wired for fiber have an installed ONT (the fiber version of a modem) that may not be in the best location for a router. My ONT, for instance, is hidden behind a closet panel, so my router unfortunately sits in a coat closet. As for data caps and contracts, fiber providers are again generally more favorable. Nearly all fiber providers I have come across offer unlimited data and few require a contract. Cable ISPs, on the other hand, are more likely to hold you to a data cap and contract with the threat of speed throttling or added fees. Customer satisfaction favors fiber ACSI One last provider-specific, cable-to-fiber comparison here, but it is one worth noting as it gives insight to how actual customers feel about their service. In the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index report, major fiber providers scored higher than the big cable ISPs. All named fiber providers (with the exception of Optimum, which is mostly a cable ISP and is notorious for low customer satisfaction), scored above 70/100. The closest cable providers, Cox and Spectrum, came in at 68/100. Granted, the ACSI categorizes fiber and non-fiber providers separately, but I would assume they are evaluated the same. Another source we like to use for customer satisfaction data, J.D. Power, paints a similar picture. In its 2024 report, a fiber provider led in all four markets: Verizon (East), Google Fiber (South) and AT&T (North Central, West). Cable vs. fiber internet recap Cable internet has its advantages -- availability, low introductory pricing, better bundling options -- but fiber is the superior connection type. Fiber internet is capable of faster speeds, up and down, and is better suited to consistently deliver those speeds, even during peak usage times. Depending on the available ISPs in your area, fiber may be a bit more expensive, but the overall value can't be beat. Cable vs. fiber FAQs Is switching from cable to fiber worth it? That depends on your needs and the available providers in your area. Fiber is a superior technology, with faster speeds and better reliability than cable, but there's no need to pay extra for it if your current cable plan meets your needs. If your local fiber provider offers a plan comparable to your cable service, the fiber connection may provide better speed consistency. Is Wi-Fi faster with fiber internet? The connection type, such as fiber, affects the speeds to your home. Speeds in your home, specifically over Wi-Fi, are more dependent on your router and the connected devices than the internet type. Fiber is the most reliable internet connection type when it comes to delivering fast, consistent speeds to your home, which may result in faster and more stable Wi-Fi speeds in your home. Is cable or fiber internet cheaper? Cable internet providers like Astound, Mediacom, WOW and Xfinity have some of the lowest introductory rates of any major ISP with service starting at $15 to $20 a month in some locations. Starting monthly rates for fiber providers typically run from $40 to $55, though $20 and $30 plans are available from select providers. It's important to consider more than the advertised monthly rate when shopping for cheap internet. Some cable internet providers appear to be cheap, but added costs such as equipment fees, data overages and built-in price hikes can inflate the cost over time. After evaluating all costs, fiber may prove to be the better value. Is cable or fiber internet better for gaming? Along with faster speeds and better reliability, fiber internet is likely to have a lower latency, or ping, than cable internet. Either technology will offer plenty of speed to game online, but the lower ping that comes with fiber will make for a better gaming experience.
Forbes
22-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Why Is Newsmax Stock Dropping Despite Soaring Viewership?
Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images Newsmax (NYSE: NMAX) plummeted by more than 11% on Tuesday and is now nearly 70% lower than its initial public offering closing price from March 31. This significant drop occurs despite the conservative media company's swift expansion across cable, digital, and print platforms. Despite Newsmax experiencing a rise in viewership, ranking as the fifth most-watched cable channel and fourth among cable news networks, investors are growing more concerned about the company's poor financials, increased legal risks, and exorbitant valuation. Newsmax's initial earnings report as a publicly-traded entity presents a mixed snapshot. In Q1 2025 (ending March), the firm reported $45.3 million in revenue, a 12% rise compared to the previous year (y-o-y) driven by expansion in its core segments: advertising, affiliate fees, and subscriptions. The channel also experienced a remarkable 50% increase in viewership, reaching 33.6 million for the quarter. Nevertheless, these gains in audience have yet to convert into profitability. Newsmax incurred a net loss of $17.2 million, or $0.49 per share, accompanied by an adjusted EBITDA loss of $1.2 million. This maintains a wider trend of financial underperformance, with full-year 2024 net losses increasing to $72.2 million from $41.8 million in 2023. With a present market capitalization of $2.8 billion, Newsmax is trading at a high price-to-sales ratio of 16.3, significantly above the broadcasting industry average of just 0.48. This significant valuation discrepancy has ignited investor doubt. One of the most critical risks facing Newsmax is legal. The company is currently facing a lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems, which claims Newsmax made defamatory allegations about vote manipulation during the 2020 U.S. election. A Delaware Superior Court recently determined that there is 'clear and compelling evidence' that Newsmax spread false claims. The case is now headed to a jury trial, with Dominion seeking $1.6 billion in compensation, an existential threat to a company whose total revenue in 2024 was only $171 million. While there's no assurance that such damages will be awarded, the impending uncertainty creates a considerable overhang for investors. Newsmax has robust gross margins around 50%, but its current growth does not justify its valuation. With growing losses, legal exposure, and restricted financial capacity, the stock faces serious downside unless the company can grow profitably and address litigation. Investing in a single stock can be risky. On the other hand, the Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio, with a selection of 30 stocks, has demonstrated a history of comfortably outperforming the S&P 500 over the past 4-year span. What accounts for this? As a collective, HQ Portfolio stocks achieved superior returns with reduced risk compared to the standard index, with a smoother performance evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics. It should also be acknowledged that stocks can fall abruptly – 20%, 30%, or even 50% –as witnessed in previous market disruptions. No stock is exempt. Our dashboard How Low Can Stocks Go During A Market Crash demonstrates how key stocks performed during and after the last six market crashes.
