Verizon Lifts 2026 Outlook as AWS AI Deal Tops $2 Billion

Verizon signed an AI infrastructure deal worth more than $2 billion with Amazon Web Services and raised its 2026 outlook for a third straight quarter, connecting its network business to AI computing on Monday, Oct. 26.

The agreement establishes a commercial framework for distributed computing aimed at real-time agentic and generative AI workloads. Dan Schulman, Verizon CEO, said, “Technology leaders are choosing our fiber network to power the next generation of AI infrastructure.”

Verizon raised its 2026 forecast for postpaid phone net additions to 1.1 million to 1.2 million, from 750,000 to 1 million. Adjusted earnings per share is projected at $5.04 to $5.06, while free cash flow is expected to approach 12% year-over-year growth, compared with a prior forecast of 9% to 10%.

The carrier added 406,000 postpaid phone customers in the third quarter of 2026, its strongest third-quarter gain in five years. It expects fiber passings to exceed 32 million by year-end, with a medium-term goal of 40 million to 50 million.