Ringing the changes in telecoms: Stock pickers eye mobile firms

Ringing the changes in telecoms: Stock pickers eye mobile firms

Ringing the changes in the telecoms industry: Stock pickers show a little more love for mobile firms as demand for data soars under lockdown

Millions of us check our phone as many as 150 times a day, and this dependency is deepening.

Vodafone reports that during lockdown, customers used a third more mobile data – they also made 20 per cent more calls.

But there is a disconnect between our reliance on the telecoms companies that supply us with mobiles, landlines and broadband and our feelings towards their shares.

Staying connected: Vodafone reports that during lockdown, customers used a third more mobile data – they also made 20 per cent more calls

Since pandemic alarm took hold in February, the Stoxx Europe Telecommunications index has fallen by 19 per cent.

The index's key constituents are Deutsche Telekom, Ericsson, Nokia, Orange, Telefonica (the Spanish owner of O2), BT and Vodafone, whose shares are down 15 per cent since February.

Lately, however, the index has edged upwards.

Is this a signal for a change of heart towards these companies? Are the revenues from the roll-out of the new 5G network, with its rapid download speeds, a reason to reconsider the sector?

Currently there is a more upbeat stance towards telecoms than for some time.

BT – whose mobile brand is EE – reports 'very, very strong' s ..

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