BUZZ - AT&T shares decline due to decreased fiber revenue per user

October 21 - ** Telecom company AT&T (T.N) shares fell 6.6% to $21.9

** If the decline continues, the share price could reach its lowest point in three months

** Third-quarter average revenue per user (ARPU) dropped by 4%, affected by promotional activities, bundled discounts for wireless and broadband users, and an influx of lower-spending customers from the newly acquired Lumen Technologies

** Citi pointed out that ARPU dilution can be attributed to telecom companies — given the competitive threat of SpaceX potentially entering the mobile communications sector and the uncertainty over future industry structure, these companies may be undervalued

** Industry peers T-Mobile (TMUS.O) and Verizon (VZ.N) saw their share prices fall 2.9% and 3% respectively

** AT&T Chief Financial Officer Pascal Desroches said that due to product launches and fiber network expansion plans, adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter will be affected by higher marketing and other customer acquisition costs compared to last year

** Including today’s price swings, T and TMUS have fallen 11.8% and 24.6% respectively this year, while VZ has risen 6.1%

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