Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ), Sprint Nextel Corporation (S): Which of These 3 Phone Firms Should You Avoid?

Telecommunications is a tricky field with high operating expenses that can leave companies drowning in red ink. While providing service to phone users may appear as easy as allowing them to access a network, technological advancements and servicing new markets continually require a lot of capital.

Out of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), Sprint Nextel Corporation (NYSE:S) and AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), Sprint has a very different balance sheet than the others. One factor could explain continual net losses: a lack of international expansion.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) expands into Canada

The HTC One smartphone has already been available on AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile since April. The first image of the Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) version of the HTC One was leaked on July 1 and on it reads the date “Sept. 5,” which has many people speculating that as the release date. Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) announced several weeks ago that the company would be offering an HTC at Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), but the firm didn’t say when. The release might be too late for profits, however, as HTC sales dropped 25% in June, compared to the same month last year.

But the company looks attractive due to its possible acquisition of Wind Mobile. Entrance into the Canadian market could lead to a heap of new customers in the nation with some of the highest monthly phone plans in the world. Ninety percent of Canadian telecommunications is owned by three companies, which means there is room for more. That could help increase the firm’s terminal growth rate, which is expected to be 1.25%.

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) expands into Europe

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) on July 2 initiated 35 new 4G LTE markets, and in an industry where ease of use is vital in attracting and maintaining clients, this progress helps solidify AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) as a leader in the telecommunications sector. That brings the market count total to about 350.

I see somewhat likely growth for AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) into the future. The company is considering making acquisitions in Europe, which is an area that still has room for advancements. And with the firm’s fair value is at $42.80, there is a 24% premium on price. That’s based on the company’s net income from 2008 to 2013 with a 3.18% weighted average cost of capital.

Sprint Nextel Corporation (NYSE:S) doesn’t look to be expanding

Sprint Nextel Corporation (NYSE:S) is facing a $300 million lawsuit from New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.