AT&T's third-quarter profit and revenue increased as the nation's largest telecommunications company signed-up more smartphone and broadband subscribers. AT&T reported profit of $3.8 billion in the third quarter, up from $3.6 billion in the same quarter a year ago. Mobile tiered data and shared plans continue to be major contributors to the revenue, with more than 22% of postpaid and 72% of smartphone subcribers being on these plans.
'Mobile Share Gains Continue. The number of subscribers on usage-based data plans (tiered data and Mobile Share plans) continues to increase. About 72 percent, or 36.4 million, of postpaid smartphone subscribers are on usage-based data plans. This compares to 64 percent, or 28.5 million, a year ago. About 80 percent of customers on usage-based data plans have chosen the medium- and higher-data plans: 22 percent have chosen the higher plans, compared to 9 percent in the year-ago quarter, and 58 percent have chosen the medium-priced plans.'
'Since Mobile Share plans were first introduced a year ago, more than 16 million connections, or more than 22 percent of postpaid subscribers, have moved to Mobile Share plans. The number of Mobile Share accounts reached 5.3 million in the third quarter with an average of about three devices per account. Take rates on the higher-data plans continue to be strong with 30 percent of Mobile Share accounts choosing 10 gigabyte or higher plans. About 15 percent of Mobile Share subscribers came from unlimited plans.'
“We’re setting the standard for 4G LTE speeds and network reliability. Our fiber and U-verse expansion projects are ahead of schedule bringing high-speed broadband to millions more customers,” said Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and CEO. “With these initiatives, we’re seeing excellent growth across our major platforms — mobility, U-verse and strategic business services.” Source - At&T (Oct 23, 2013)
