Verizon remains the largest US carrier by customer count, yet a run of price rises has strained relations with subscribers. Despite recent customer-friendly measures, it stays the most expensive provider in the country, and not everyone believes the service justifies the premium. That tension has fuelled speculation about a possible change of ownership.
Reports suggested that chief executive Dan Schulman was preparing the business for a sale to SpaceX. Verizon rejected the claim, and SpaceX has since announced plans to build its own network. Even so, the prospect appealed to a large share of subscribers.
What subscribers said in the poll
A reader poll drew 3,114 responses on who should own Verizon. A total of 1,239 people (38%) wanted the company to remain as it is, while an almost equal 1,156 (37%) backed a SpaceX takeover. A further 719 readers (23%) preferred the company to be sold to a buyer other than AT&T, T-Mobile or SpaceX.
Does Verizon need rescuing?
Although the carrier appears to be recovering, its revenue fell 0.7% year on year in Q2 2026. Under Schulman, progress has leaned heavily on cost-cutting. Reducing spending was the straightforward part, and the company now faces pressure to demonstrate a credible growth strategy.
Initiatives such as the Simplicity plan, Verizon Loyalty, Verizon Shine, waived activation and upgrade fees, and tax-inclusive pricing mark steps in that direction, though further action is expected. Chief product and revenue officer Nancy Clark indicated that additional plans are on the way, aiming to challenge industry norms and prioritise customers.
“As Dan has said, we are on a journey to become truly a customer-first organization, and we do have a series of things that we will be launching that really look to break the industry mold and put customers first,” Clark said in August 2026.
A cautious strategy
Verizon has steadied its position without triggering a price war, pointing to a measured approach. While its Q2 performance was strong, BNP Paribas senior analyst Sam McHugh has noted that the company is not investing enough in network infrastructure. Combined with intense competition and slowing industry growth, those factors help explain why the takeover speculation emerged.
Schulman took the helm in October and delivered a strong Q4, an outcome that involved difficult decisions. Verizon reported a 0.7% year-on-year revenue decline in Q2 2026.
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Image: phonearena.com
