The telecom sector would seem to offer a respite from the storm of this year's volatile stock market, as the companies operating there have a history of reliable earnings and consistent dividend payments. But two of the industry's biggest telecommunications players, Verizon (NYSE: VZ) and AT&T (NYSE: T), prove that even the public's reliance on mobile devices doesn't shield a company from macroeconomic factors such as inflation.

Both companies gave investors a rough time this year, albeit for different reasons. Both have seen stock prices drop in recent weeks, with Verizon's stock price hitting a 52-week low on Sept. 8, and AT&T's stock price hovering close to last December's low.

So is now a good time to scoop up shares in either of these beaten-down stocks? If so, is one a better buy? 

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Source Fool.com