Market Voices: Verizon's Starry, AST deals; Amazon's drug kiosks

[Exterior view of the Amazon Logistics delivery agency in Velizy-Villacoublay, France]
HJBC

_Seeking Alpha's roundup of statements, announcements, and remarks that could impact markets, sectors, or individual stocks._

* Verizon has agreed to acquire Starry, a provider of fixed wireless broadband service to multi-dwelling units, or MDUs.

"By integrating their technology and expertise, we will accelerate our fixed wireless access capabilities, giving millions of new customers a powerful and affordable broadband option. This architecture is less expensive to build, quicker to deploy, and uniquely addresses the complexities of urban settings where we can leverage our existing fiber and mmWave assets," said Joe Russo, Verizon's EVP and president for global networks and technology, in a statement [https://www.verizon.com/about/news/verizon-acquisition-starry].

Starry currently serves around 100,000 MDU customers in Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

* Verizon (NYSE:VZ [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/VZ]) has also signed a deal with AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ:ASTS [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/ASTS]) to provide cellular service via space to its customers when needed beginning in 2026.

“Through our definitive commercial agreement with Verizon, we are working to deliver space-based cellular broadband coverage from space across the continental United States,” said AST SpaceMobile founder and CEO Abel Avellan, in a statement [https://seekingalpha.com/pr/20258525-ast-spacemobile-announces-definitive-commercial-agreement-with-verizon-to-support-space-based]. “The agreement will extend the scope of Verizon’s 850 MHz premium low-band spectrum into areas of the U.S. that would benefit from the ubiquitous reach of space-based broadband technology.”

“By integrating our expansive, reliable, robust terrestrial network with this innovative space-based technology, we are paving the way for a future where everything and everyone can be connected, regardless of geography," added Srini Kalapala, Verizon's SVP of technology and product development.

* Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AMZN]) is introducing prescription drug kiosks similar to vending machines at its One Medical offices in the greater Los Angeles area.

The kiosks will be able to dispense prescription drugs to patients immediately following their medical appointments, thereby eliminating the need to visit a separate brick-and-mortar pharmacy.

"We know that when patients have to make an extra trip to the pharmacy after seeing their doctor, many prescriptions never get filled," said Hannah McClellan, Amazon Pharmacy's vice president of operations, in a statement [https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/retail/amazon-pharmacy-kiosks-one-medical]. "By bringing the pharmacy directly to the point of care, we're removing a critical barrier and helping patients start their treatment when it matters most—right away."

Amazon said the kiosks will be stocked with a wide range of commonly prescribed drugs that don't require refrigeration, including antibiotics, inhalers, and blood pressure medications. Controlled substances will not be available through the machines.

MORE ON AMAZON, VERIZON, ETC.

* AT&T: A Switch To Verizon Has Never Looked More Irresistible [https://seekingalpha.com/article/4828501-at-and-t-a-switch-to-verizon-has-never-looked-more-irresistible]
* Why AST SpaceMobile Soared (Rating Upgrade) [https://seekingalpha.com/article/4827515-why-ast-spacemobile-soared-rating-upgrade]
* Verizon: Repeating Problematic Past [https://seekingalpha.com/article/4827315-verizon-repeating-problematic-past]
* Key ad industry players propose new standards to Big Tech for digital auctions - WSJ [https://seekingalpha.com/news/4502701-key-ad-industry-players-propose-new-standards-to-big-tech-for-digital-auctions---wsj]
* Verizon buys smaller broadband company Starry to grow footprint in MDU areas [https://seekingalpha.com/news/4502662-verizon-buys-smaller-broadband-company-starry-to-grow-footprint-in-mdu-areas]