T-Mobile USA Lost 557,000 Subscribers in Q2, Gained Prepaid Customers

It's gotta hurt being the only major U.S. carrier without the iPhone, and the proof of this dilemma is certainly being shown in T-Mobile USA's second-quarter, during which time more than half a million subscribers jumped ship for greener pastures.

T-Mobile USA has announced second-quarter 2012 financial results and it's a good news/bad news kind of scenario -- but no matter how you slice it, it's gotta stink to be the only major U.S. carrier without the iPhone.

The bad news is the company shed 557,000 customers on the more lucrative postpaid (contract) plans. That pales dramatically in comparison to the 187,000 new customers the carrier added in the first quarter, and it's almost four times the number of postpaid customers it lost in Q2 2011.

The only bright spot in this grim news is that the company gained back 227,000 customers on the prepaid side of the business, which undoubtedly includes a fair number of unlocked iPhones, despite those users being stuck on slower 2G EDGE data speeds.

All in all, T-Mobile USA's Q2 net income is actually up 3.5 percent over the previous quarter, although the number dipped by 2.4 percent from the same quarter last year. Deducting the prepaid gains from the postpaid losses, the company would up with a net loss of only 205,000 customers.

The better news for T-Mobile customers is the company's 4G LTE plans are marching onward, and should roll out next year. The magenta carrier also plans to add prepaid service at 8,700 more third-party stores during Q3, so the company clearly hopes to capitalize on its popularity as a GSM safe haven from AT&T.

Follow this article’s author, J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter

 

Tags: News4G LTEcarrierscustomersiPhonelossespostpaidPrepaidQ2 2012Q2 financialsSubscribersT-Mobileunlocked phones Here's What You'll Get:The latest Apple news, reviews and how-tosThe hottest articles from MacLife.comYour recommended daily dose of awesome Also, send me e-mail announcements and special offers from Mac

View the Original article

Virgin Mobile USA Announces Prepaid iPhone, Available Starting June 29

One thing’s for sure: Apple isn’t going to waste any time at Monday’s keynote talking about new carrier deals for the iPhone. As widely rumored earlier this week, Virgin Mobile has announced that it will begin selling the iconic handset on June 29.

Virgin Mobile USA has made it official: The Sprint-owned subsidiary is now the second prepaid carrier in the United States to offer a prepaid iPhone, which will be available beginning Friday, June 29.



View the Original article

U.S. Finally Gets Prepaid iPhone, Thanks to Cricket Wireless

It's only taken five years since the original iPhone went on sale in 2007, but at long last, Apple’s iconic handset finally has a prepaid version available here in the U.S., thanks to Cricket Wireless and a new $55 per month unlimited plan.

Cricket Communications Inc. has announced that its Cricket Wireless division will be the first prepaid carrier in the U.S. to offer the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S to its customers. Starting on June 22, Cricket customers can indulge in a $55 per month, flat-price prepaid plan that includes unlimited talk, text and data.

Needless to say, that should be

View the Original article

iPhone 3GS Likely to Become Low-Cost Prepaid Device for Developing Markets

For a smartphone introduced in 2009, the iPhone 3GS has had a remarkable lifespan. Instead of being put out to pasture this fall, It appears the handset could instead be headed for developing markets as a contract-free, prepaid device priced under $300.

AppleInsider is reporting that Apple’s iPhone 3GS appears likely to evade the executioner yet again. After being given another lease on life after the introduction of the iPhone 4 in 2010 and the iPhone 4S last fall, analysts believe that Apple will keep the low-cost handset alive as part of their strategy to invade developing markets.

The report details how Jefferies analyst Peter Misek about an agreement between Apple and an unnamed

View the Original article

Prepaid Carriers Leap Wireless, MetroPCS See Growth Plummet

Despite widespread use around the world, prepaid cell phones have never really caught on in the U.S., where two-year commitments stubbornly refuse to go away. But two companies whose fate depends on prepaid have watched their fortunes plummet during what is typically a strong quarter.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting on some big losses at Leap Wireless and MetroPCS, two of the bigger players in the prepaid wireless market. Both companies noted

View the Original article