We recently compiled a list of the 12 Best Telecom Stocks To Invest In Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Frontier Communications Parent Inc. (NASDAQ:FYBR) stands against the other telecom stocks.
The global telecom services market was valued at $1.80 trillion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a 6.2% compound annual growth rate through 2030, as reported by Grand View Research. This growth is driven by factors such as 5G infrastructure investments, a rising number of mobile subscribers, increasing demand for high-speed data, and the growing need for managed services.
This industry has undergone a remarkable evolution since its inception. From early forms of communication like voice and basic visual signals transmitted over wired infrastructure, it has progressed to today’s sophisticated landscape of exchanging audio, video, and text content across diverse wireless networks. This evolution is marked by advancements in data speeds, transitioning from early technologies like GSM and CDMA to 3G, and 4G, and now the commercialization of 5G, enabling rapid data transfer that was once unimaginable.
According to Forbes, one of the driving forces for the telecom industry in 2025 will be the continued rollout and maturation of 5G technology. 5G will deliver faster speeds and improved connectivity and also unlock a new era of possibilities, such as enabling immersive experiences like VR/AR, powering advanced industrial applications, and driving innovation across a wide range of sectors.
While 5G is currently being deployed, attention is shifting to 6G, which promises to deliver significantly enhanced capabilities. IDTechEx recently reported that 6G will revolutionize communication by operating in the terahertz (THz) spectrum. This will enable unprecedented data rates (Tbps) and ultra-low latency. Beyond speed, 6G will unlock new applications like energy harvesting and advanced sensing. To achieve this, 6G will utilize higher frequency bands (7-20 GHz, W-band, D-band) for both access and backhaul. However, higher frequencies present challenges like atmospheric absorption and interference.
Overcoming these requires optimizing link budgets through advancements in semiconductor technology. While CMOS may suffice for lower frequencies, SiGe and InP technologies are crucial for higher frequencies. SiGe BiCMOS offers a good balance of performance and cost, while InP provides the highest performance. Furthermore, Antenna-in-Package (AiP) technology is vital for integrating antennas directly into semiconductor packages, crucial for high-frequency communication, particularly in the mmWave and sub-THz ranges.
Methodology
We sifted through the Finviz stock screener to compile an initial list of top telecom stocks to invest in. We then selected the 12 stocks that were the most popular among elite hedge funds and that analysts were bullish on. The stocks are ranked in ascending order of the number of hedge funds that have stakes in them, as of Q3 2024. The hedge fund data was sourced from Insider Monkey’s database which tracks the moves of over 900 elite money managers.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
A close-up of a smartphone, its screen alight and displaying the company’s communication services.
Frontier Communications Parent Inc. (NASDAQ:FYBR)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 52
Frontier Communications Parent Inc. (NASDAQ:FYBR) provides a range of communication and technology services across the US, including broadband internet, video, voice, and data services. It serves a diverse customer base, including large enterprises, small and medium businesses, and wholesale customers. It offers a range of solutions, from basic internet access to advanced data networking and unified communications services.
The company’s third-quarter 2024 results were driven by the addition of 381,000 fiber passings, bringing the total number of locations passed with fiber to 7.6 million. It also added 108,000 fiber broadband customers during the quarter, resulting in a remarkable 19.3% year-over-year growth in fiber broadband subscribers.
This translated into a significant 21.8% year-over-year increase in consumer fiber broadband revenue, attributed to the addition of new fiber broadband subscribers and a slight increase in the average revenue per user to $65.40. By aggressively investing in its fiber network and attracting new fiber broadband subscribers, Frontier Communications Parent Inc. (NASDAQ:FYBR) is solidifying its position as a leading provider of high-speed internet services.
Cooper Investors Global Equities Fund (Hedged) stated the following regarding Frontier Communications Parent, Inc. (NASDAQ:FYBR) in its Q3 2024 investor letter:
“The largest contributors were Frontier Communications Parent, Inc. (NASDAQ:FYBR) and Eurofins Scientific (ERF)
Frontier is a US based broadband company converting its legacy copper network into future-proof fibre infrastructure. The completed network will produce highly resilient cash flows which we believe will be worth multiples of the company’s current market value. Frontier began its multi-billion dollar network upgrade in 2021 and is expected to complete the build in mid-2026, at which point cash flows will inflect positively.
During the quarter, leading US telco Verizon entered into an agreement to acquire Frontier for US$38.50 per share, circa 38% above the undisturbed price. The shares have settled at a price of circa US$35.50 reflecting the roughly 18-month approval process required to close the transaction. Despite this premium it is our view that the US$38.50 price is highly opportunistic, coming at a time when the risks of the network build (funding, costs) are decreasing in advance of the inflection in cash flows, which will persist for decades.
Frontier has one of the highest calibre management teams in global telecommunications and we have observed them execute their strategy over the three years accordingly, such that the standalone prospects and value of the company are not reflected in the offer price, let alone any synergies on offer via a combination with Verizon.”
Overall FYBR ranks 4th on our list of the best telecom stocks to invest in now. While we acknowledge the potential of FYBR as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold great promise for delivering high returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than FYBR but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.