Verizon Communications Inc. is ramping up its efforts in fiber expansion with a goal of adding 650,000 new connections by 2025, bolstered by partnerships with Eaton Fiber and AWS to enhance high-capacity networks. Following its acquisition of Frontier, Verizon expects to exceed 1 million annual fiber connections and aims for a combined infrastructure of 35-40 million passings. Despite reporting revenues of $33.82 billion, up only 1.5% year-over-year but falling short of analyst expectations, Verizon's stock has gained 2.8% since the earnings announcement and remains a strong dividend contender with a 19-year history of increased payouts.