If you’re an income investor, you probably know the telecom sector well. For years, investors have turned to telecoms, to provide income and stability to their portfolio. However, the last 3 months has brought a roughly 7% decline in the value of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ). Long-term investors should take this opportunity to pick up shares, with a nearly 5% yield.

Verizon Wireline operating margin is Up 250% in the last five quarters

When most investors think about Verizon, they think of the company’s huge wireless business. In a similar manner, Sprint(NYSE: S) shareholders are hoping the company’s wireless division can continue to turn around. AT&T (NYSE: T) on the other hand, has changed its profile, and now needs to be thought of as a wireless and video delivery giant.

With this in mind, Verizon’s wireline business doesn’t get a whole lot of press. However, this division is improving, and investors need to pay attention. In Verizon’s most recent earnings, the wireline division reported that revenue declined by 2.2%. However, Verizon’s results look better, compared to two of its rivals. AT&T’s wireline revenue declined by 3%. Sprint’s wireline division reported a 16% annual decline.

Digging further into Verizon’s wireline results, the company’s FiOS business is actually performing very well, with revenue increasing 10% year-over-year. Specifically, Verizon reported mid-to-high single-digit increases in users of both FiOS Internet and Video.

What is important to note is, this growth in FiOS is helping the wireline business’ margins. Verizon’s wireline operating margin came in at 5.3%. While this doesn’t match AT&T’s wireline operating margin of 10%, it does represent a significant increase year over year. In April 2014, Verizon’s wireline operating margin was just 1.5%.