Verizon Communications today announced an agreement to acquire Starry, a provider of fixed wireless broadband services.
The acquisition strengthens Verizon’s position in the fast-growing broadband market , enhancing its ability to deliver high-speed internet to multi-dwelling units (MDUs) and dense urban communities using Starry’s innovative millimeter wave (mmWave) technology.
“As the #1 mobility provider, Verizon’s acquisition of Starry is another step to extend our leadership in mobility and broadband,” said Joe Russo, EVP and President, Global Networks and Technology, Verizon. “Starry has demonstrated a unique and efficient approach to delivering high-speed internet in complex MDU environments.”
“By integrating their technology and expertise, we will accelerate our fixed wireless access (FWA) capabilities, giving millions of new customers a powerful and affordable broadband option. This architecture is less expensive to build, quicker to deploy, and ideally suited for urban areas where we can leverage our existing fiber and mmWave assets,” Joe Russo said.
The acquisition aligns with Verizon’s strategy to expand its fixed wireless access footprint, capitalizing on the company’s extensive fiber network and mmWave spectrum. These assets are crucial for supporting high-capacity, ultra-fast broadband services in dense urban regions and apartment complexes—areas where demand for reliable and affordable connectivity continues to surge.
Starry’s established MDU network, which currently serves nearly 100,000 customers across Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Denver, and Washington, D.C., provides Verizon with an immediate growth platform. The company’s Net Promoter Score (NPS)—almost double the industry average—reflects its strong customer satisfaction and service quality in competitive urban broadband markets.
By acquiring Starry, Verizon aims to accelerate broadband deployment timelines, reduce network build-out costs, and extend high-speed internet access to millions of new households. The transaction is expected to close by the first quarter of 2026, pending Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval and customary closing conditions.
This move reflects Verizon’s long-term goal of integrating advanced wireless and fiber infrastructure to deliver seamless, high-performance broadband experiences nationwide —solidifying its leadership in both mobility and home internet connectivity.
Verizon’s broadband connections surpassed 12.6 million as of Q1 2025, reflecting a 13.7 percent year-over-year growth. This expansion was driven by both fixed wireless access (FWA) and Fios Internet services. The company added 339,000 broadband subscribers in Q1 2025, with 308,000 of these being fixed wireless access subscribers, bringing the total fixed wireless base to over 4.8 million. Fios Internet contributed 45,000 net additions during the same period.
Verizon has made several strategic acquisitions over the years to strengthen its position in wireless, broadband, media, and enterprise solutions.
In 2015, Verizon acquired AOL for about $4.4 billion to expand its digital media and advertising technology capabilities.
In 2017, Verizon acquired Yahoo’s internet business for $4.5 billion, which was later merged with AOL to form Verizon Media (later rebranded as Yahoo and sold in 2021).
In 2018, Verizon completed the acquisition of Straight Path Communications for $3.1 billion, gaining millimeter wave spectrum licenses critical for its 5G rollout.
In 2018, Verizon acquired Skyward, a drone management company, to support its 5G and IoT ecosystem.
In 2021, Verizon acquired TracFone Wireless, the largest prepaid mobile provider in the U.S., in a $6.25 billion deal, significantly expanding its customer base in the prepaid and value segments.
In September 2024, Verizon announced plans to acquire Frontier Communications in an all-cash transaction valued at $20 billion. The acquisition significantly expands Verizon’s fiber broadband footprint.
Additionally, Verizon has invested in smaller tech firms to enhance its 5G edge computing, cybersecurity, and enterprise services capabilities, including the purchase of BlueJeans Network for video collaboration during the pandemic.
Baburajan Kizhakedath