Good news all you Avaya IP Office fans …the telecommunications giant was just granted court-permission to purchase Nortel Networks, the bankrupt communications equipment maker. But not so much for Verizon; the carrier resells Nortel equipment and software to a wide variety departments within the federal government and is concerned about Avaya’s decision to not renew some of those contracts.
The news is just the latest blow in a long string of not-so-good news for the largest U.S. mobile service provider (in terms of subscribed users). Verizon’s stock is down 3% (the Dow’s leading decliner) and despite one of the best coverage networks in the country, the company is really feeling the heat from competitors (namely AT&T, who carries the hugely popular iPhone). In fact, WIRED (via CNN) ust ran an article about the carrier with the opener, “Why does the U.S. carrier known for the best network have the worst smartphones?” Good question.
You’d think Verizon would get it together and offer a richer, more vast array of sleek smartphones (the lackluster BlackBerry Storm doesn’t count). They certainly have the subscibers. Verizon should really look into getting a jump on that….before that 3% begins to multiply and the bad news streak delivers yet another blow.