For years, Verizon had a rather embarrassing problem.
It was one of America's biggest wireless companies, with a massive network, millions of customers, and billions in revenue. Yet somehow, it struggled to do something that should have been fairly straightforward: convince more people to join than leave.
Imagine running one of the country's largest phone companies and watching customers slowly drift toward your competitors.
That was Verizon's reality.
But something has changed in 2026. And with Verizon's third-quarter earnings arriving on Monday, October 26, investors are about to find out whether this comeback has staying power.
The Comeback Nobody Expected
Here's a number worth paying attention to: 55,000.
That's how many net postpaid phone subscribers Verizon added in the first quarter of 2026.
Doesn't sound particularly impressive for a telecommunications giant, does it?
Except it was Verizon's first positive first-quarter result since 2013.
Thirteen years.
And the momentum didn't stop there. In the second quarter, Verizon added another 184,000 postpaid phone subscribers and reported more than 550,000 total mobility and broadband net additions.
Suddenly, a company that had spent years defending its customer base was growing again.
The New CEO Who Changed the Playbook
Much of this turnaround is happening under CEO Dan Schulman.
Rather than relying on expensive promotions to attract customers, Verizon has been focusing on something surprisingly simple: making its existing customers happier while spending more carefully to attract new ones.
Think about it.
What's the point of offering someone an expensive new phone to join your network if they're going to leave two years later?
Verizon's strategy increasingly emphasizes customer retention, targeted offers, and better economics.
And the early results are encouraging.
In July, the company raised its full-year financial guidance for the second consecutive quarter.
That's not something investors usually ignore.
A Multibillion-Dollar Bet on Your Home Internet
But Verizon isn't just trying to fix its wireless business.
It's also making a much bigger bet.
In January 2026, Verizon completed its acquisition of Frontier, significantly expanding its fiber internet footprint.
The idea is straightforward: sell customers both mobile service and home internet.
One provider. One relationship. More reasons to stay.
It's a strategy that could make Verizon harder to replace, especially as AT&T and T-Mobile continue fighting for the same households.
Of course, expanding through acquisitions isn't cheap. Verizon carries substantial debt, and turning a bigger network into profitable growth will take disciplined execution.
October 26: The Real Test
When Verizon reports third-quarter earnings on Monday, investors should look beyond the headline profit number.
Three questions matter.
Is Verizon still adding phone subscribers? Are customers staying longer? And is all this growth translating into stronger cash flow?
Because here's the uncomfortable truth about corporate turnarounds.
The first few good quarters are exciting. Sustaining them is the difficult part.
Verizon has already shown that it can stop losing ground.
Now it needs to prove that it can keep moving forward.
The comeback has started. Whether it becomes a lasting success story is still an open question.
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Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not financial or investment advice. Always conduct your own research before making investment decisions.
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