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iPhone boosts growth for T-Mobile
T-Mobile reported its Q2 2013 earnings results today and posted an increase of 1.1 million subscribers for the quarter. Impressively, 29 percent of T-Mobile's quarterly sales were attributable to the iPhone. By way of comparison, the carrier lost 200,000 customers during the same quarter a year ago. The iPhone first arrived on T-Mobile in April 2013 and was quick to make an impact. During the first three weeks of its availability, T-Mobile sold 500,000 units. T-Mobile CMO Mike Sievert even went so far as to call the launch "gangbusters." For the entire quarter, T-Mobile sold 4.3 million smartphones, meaning that they sold 1.24 million iPhones altogether. "T-Mobile's Un-carrier approach has clearly resonated with consumers," T-Mobile CEO John Legere said in a press release. "By fixing the things that drive them mad, like contracts and upgrades, and freeing them from the two-year sentences imposed on them by our competitors, they are choosing the new T-Mobile in unprecedented numbers." T-Mobile was the last of the four largest U.S based carriers to begin selling the iPhone. Previously, company executives weren't shy about detailing how the lack of the iPhone contributed to significant subscriber churn.
T-Mobile reports 'first positive branded (customer) growth in four years'
Right on the heels of its announcement of becoming the "UnCarrier", T-Mobile has dropped an early update on customer count for Q1. While its full earnings won't be announced until May 8th, it noted a net increase of 579,000 customers for the period, compared to a net loss of 349,000 in Q4 of 2012. It claims the increase was primarily due to continued focus on growing its MVNO customers base. Postpaid customer losses for Q1 are 199,000, far better than Q4's drop of 515,000, and 510,000 in the same period last year. President and CEO John Legere is certainly looking at the bright side (and keeping his language clean this time) claiming the data represents "positive momentum and the first positive branded growth in four years." We'll wait until the dollars and cents are counted -- and results from after its switch to no-contract plans and unsubsidized phone pricing are in -- before flying the magenta victory flag.
iPhone coming to T-Mobile in 3-4 months
Speaking at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, T-Mobile USA Chief Executive John Legere said that the carrier will begin to sell the iPhone in about "three to four months," and that T-Mobile will be taking a different tack to selling them by dropping subsidies for the phones. At this point, most carriers heavily subsidize the iPhone -- that's why you always get tied into a two-year contract in order to get the newest device at a significant discount. While you may pay more up front for a T-Mobile iPhone, the company hopes to attract customers by not tying them to a long-term contract and offering lower service prices. Legere said that he thinks the plan might increase T-Mobile USA's market share by more than 5 percent by offering the combination of more flexibility and lower prices.
John Legere confirmed as new Chief Executive Officer of T-Mobile USA
Back in the heat of summer, T-Mobile USA's then CEO Philipp Humm resigned to take up the mantle at Vodafone. In the interim, former COO Jim Alling stepped up to keep the chair warm while a permanent replacement was found. Today we learn that John Legere, former CEO of Global Crossing, will relieve Alling of those duties, and fill the top spot full-time. With 32 years experience in the industry, Legere also spent time at Dell as president of European, Middle East and African operations. For now, his first task will likely be leading the firm's LTE deployment, and trying to win some of the faithful back. Head past the break for the full PR and the new CEO's first video address to employees.
