FBR Capital analyst David Dixon believes DISH's (DISH) network build plans suggest a lack of interest from potential buyers. The lack of a takeover suitor is the main driver behind DISH's decision to swap assets with EchoStar (SATS), Dixon tells investors in a post-earnings research note. He notes that to DISH bulls, Verizon (VZ) is the most logical buyer. The analyst, however, sees Verizon leaning towards a cable or content deal over time. Verizon's larger strategic threat is cable, not lack of spectrum, Dixon argues. He also believes a Sprint (S) and T-Mobile (TMUS) would remove a potential buyer for DISH spectrum. The analyst keeps an Underperform rating on DISH shares with a $44 price target.

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Ribbon Communications (RRBN) announced plans for a major network modernization program with Verizon (VZ) to retire legacy TDM switching platforms and replace their function with modern cloud-based technologies. Verizon is leveraging Ribbon's portfolio of Voice Products including the vC20 Call Controller, G5 Line Access Gateway, G6 Universal Media Gateway, virtual and Cloud-native Session Border Controllers, and other products which allows for the consolidation and replacement of equipment with energy efficient, software-centric platforms while maintaining full feature functionality.

Wells Fargo lowered the firm's price target on Verizon to $40 from $44 and keeps an Equal Weight rating on the shares. The firm sees encouraging signs in Q1 - improvement in sub trends and limited churn from price-ups - offset by some softness in the business segment and prepaid. Wells would get more constructive when there's visibility on a sustainable improvement in sub trends.