Verizon CEO Dan Schulman says he’s pushing a more disciplined, efficiency-first Verizon—after layoffs and cost-cutting targets—raising the possibility the carrier could reduce or end device subsidies and discounted handsets. If subsidies shrink, the postpaid value equation changes fast, pushing more customers toward prepaid/BYOD. Dealers should prepare with upgrade readiness services, trade-in prep, and a “postpaid vs prepaid” savings audit.

CTIA reports US wireless data usage reached 159.3 trillion MB in 2026—still a record, but the year-over-year growth rate has slowed versus recent years. CTIA forecasts demand could be 4x higher by 2032, with AI traffic growing faster than traditional usage. Dealers should pivot from “more data” hype to “better experience” selling: Wi‑Fi offload, device upgrades, fixed wireless comparisons, and connected-device bundles.

SpaceX CFO Bret Johnsen says Starlink plans to launch “5G-quality” mobile satellite service for smartphones in the first half of 2028, powered by V3 satellites deployed through 2027. He says SpaceX can use midband spectrum bought from EchoStar and already has FCC approval for direct-from-space and terrestrial capability. The Big Three have refused MVNO deals—creating a major dealer opportunity around backup connectivity.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr says the FCC will vote later this month on two items aimed at expanding next-gen connectivity: unlocking more than 1,000 MHz in the 12 GHz and 42 GHz bands for a range of services (including faster satellite broadband), and launching a proposal to modernize ultra-wideband (UWB) rules—its first comprehensive update since 2002. Dealers should prepare for more fixed wireless/satellite competition and new UWB-enabled devices.

A new editorial argues the “classic T‑Mobile” customers loved under John Legere isn’t coming back. The piece points to longtime exec Mike Katz exiting and signaling that T‑Mobile must evolve now that it can’t keep growing by simply contrasting itself with AT&T and Verizon. Readers largely agree: a poll shows 67% believe Katz was hinting the old Un‑Carrier era is over, as T‑Mobile pushes app-first service (T‑Life), layoffs, and retail changes.

New Street Research says Verizon’s “comeback” is showing early traction as CEO Dan Schulman nears his one-year mark. Analyst David Barden notes Verizon’s postpaid phone losses were improving before Schulman, but the pace has picked up since he took over in Oct. 2025. Gross adds are up close to double digits, churn improved in Q2 2026, and cost cuts are boosting EBITDA—though New Street warns Verizon can’t “cut its way to greatness,” and ARPU/ARPA pressure remains.

T-Mobile is reportedly telling district-level employees and higher to spend at least two days working in a retail store or call center—an “optional” requirement that tips say is tied to bonuses/stock grants. The move comes as customers complain about being pushed to use the T‑Life app in-store, plus ongoing issues with app access, promotions, and store policies (like trade-ins being refused despite the app offering in-store drop-off). The goal: give leadership real front-line

Optimum is expanding its MVNO agreement with T-Mobile to add access to T-Mobile’s 5G standalone (SA) core—while still keeping Optimum’s own in-house mobile core. Optimum says the move will unlock a wider device portfolio (phones, wearables, tablets), improved international roaming options, and new product launches starting early next year after platform upgrades. Optimum ended Q2 2026 with 724,000 mobile lines.

While the Big 3 push customers toward app-first service, Consumer Cellular is leaning the other way—opening larger stores designed for comfort and high-touch help. CEO Ed Evans says forced app downloads in-store (like requiring T‑Life before speaking to a rep) are driving an uptick in ports, especially from T-Mobile. Consumer Cellular has opened its 100th store, targets ~120 by year-end, and focuses on an older customer base (avg age 66–67), including a 75+ brand with plans s

As T-Mobile shifts upmarket, longtime bargain hunters feel left behind. Navi data says 53% of T-Mobile shoppers pick premium tiers (vs mid-40s for AT&T/Verizon), and T-Mobile says 60% of new customers choose high-end plans. But readers overwhelmingly want lower prices (65%) or fewer fees (25%). With AT&T and Verizon undercutting T-Mobile’s cheapest plan, dealers should prepare for more bill-audit and switch conversations.

A new Light Reading report fuels skepticism that SpaceX can challenge AT&T, T‑Mobile, and Verizon by mounting small cellular base stations (femtocells/small cells) onto residential Starlink terminals. Analysts argue the approach breaks the “SIM card simplicity” consumers expect, requires antennas/radios and permitting similar to macro sites, and runs into hard physics: limited coverage

EchoStar Chairman Charles Ergen is buying MVNO MobileX for $200 million through his SPAC CONX, and Verizon is taking a small equity stake in the company. MobileX will remain a Verizon-network MVNO—customers use Verizon 5G/LTE—and ownership is shared among CONX, MobileX founder Peter Adderton, and Verizon (with Ergen and Adderton said to be in charge). MobileX’s pitch is that most people overpay for unlimited plans; its app uses AI to analyze usage and Wi‑Fi habits, then sugge

Multiple T-Mobile subscribers report that promised monthly device credits disappeared—sometimes near the end of a 24‑month device financing term—causing sudden bill increases. One customer said credits stopped after 22 months, adding $80/month for two months; after escalating, T‑Mobile reimbursed $160. Another customer who bought three phones through Costco said he only received one monthly device credit and was repeatedly told the others would start on later bills. The takea

Verizon denied rumors that it’s preparing for a sale to SpaceX, but many subscribers say they wish it were true. In a reader poll with 3,114 responses, 38% wanted Verizon to stay as-is, while 37% wanted SpaceX to buy it; 23% preferred another buyer (not AT&T, T‑Mobile, or SpaceX). The frustration is driven by repeated price hikes and Verizon’s premium positioning—many customers don’t feel the service justifies the cost.

Wolfe Research says T-Mobile’s “undisputed leader” status is fading as AT&T and Verizon improve postpaid value plans, cable companies push aggressive device promos, and SpaceX’s next-gen Starlink V3 satellites threaten T‑Mobile’s 5G home internet business. After migrating customers off legacy plans and raising prices, T‑Mobile has less room to squeeze ARPU, while rivals are forecasted to grow faster and potentially match T‑Mobile over the next four years. Dealers should treat

SpaceX reiterated on its Q2 2026 earnings call that it plans to build its own terrestrial network—without copying AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon. The idea: leverage existing Starlink dishes and EchoStar spectrum, potentially mounting femtocells onto Starlink terminals to create “micro cell towers,” plus satellites and limited terrestrial infrastructure

Verizon confirmed a wireless service interruption in Albuquerque, New Mexico, caused by multiple fiber cuts. Voice calling was restored first, 911 was not impacted, and Verizon says service was fully restored by 3:55 PM MT. For dealers, outages are a retention moment: document impact fast, guide customers to the right support path, and sell “connectivity insurance” (backup hotspot/router + power + setup) so customers aren’t stranded the next time a fiber cut or network issue

T-Mobile has completed the sale of an 800 MHz spectrum portfolio to Grain Management, a move that highlights how valuable low-band spectrum remains for wide-area coverage—especially in rural and small-town markets. While customers won’t see an overnight “speed boost,” low-band spectrum can improve reach, in-building coverage, and reliability when deployed well. Dealers should treat this as a coverage and rural connectivity story: run location-based fit checks, watch for netwo

Recent Verizon outages are putting network reliability back at the center of customer conversations. When service fails, customers don’t want carrier jargon—they want a fast diagnosis, a clear credit/escalation path, and a plan to prevent downtime next time. Dealers can win these moments by running a simple outage checklist (device, SIM/eSIM, settings, Wi‑Fi calling), documenting impact for support, and bundling “connectivity insurance” like hotspots/routers, power protection

A Morningstar outlook says economic growth for the North American telecom market is still possible in 2026—good news for dealers if they sell what customers actually buy in “steady growth” years: practical upgrades, home internet, and business connectivity. The playbook is simple: target families who need reliable streaming/Wi‑Fi, SMBs that need uptime, and switchers frustrated by app-only support. Win with location-based fit checks, bill audits, and bundles (router/mesh, hot