Verizon Communications Inc. reported a larger-than-expected decline in mobile-phone subscribers in the first quarter, the result of heavy competition and less spending by government agencies.

Verizon added 1.7 million consumer wireless retail postpaid phone subscribers in the first quarter on a gross basis, which doesn't account for churn. That's down 1% year over year. In terms of net adds, which does account for churn, that translates into a loss of 356,000 subscribers in the quarter.

Verizon has posted its financial results for the first quarter of this year. During Q1 2025, the telecom operator reported strong financial performance, despite losing subscribers