Are T-Mobile, Verizon And AT&T Playing The Same Game? – Carrier Wrap Episode 25
Description
The domestic market’s three largest mobile carriers recently reported first quarter financial results, all showing various strengths and weaknesses across different sections of their operations.
On this week’s Carrier Wrap, we speak with Roger Entner, founder and lead analyst at Recon Analytics, to parse out meaning from those results and see what can be discerned in regards to future moves.
As an overview, Q1 results showed continued strong postpaid and prepaid growth from T-Mobile US, though continuing challenges in new markets; AT&T Mobility showing robust growth in connected devices and prepaid; and Verizon Wireless continuing to be heavily focused on high-value postpaid customers.
In looking at each carrier, Entner noted T-Mobile US, despite its insistence on being the “un-carrier,” had taken on the operational hallmarks we have traditionally associated with mainstream wireless carriers: a strong focus on direct consumer segments.
For contrast, AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless, which T-Mobile US CEO John Legere likes to pillar for being old-school stodgy, are actually showing a growing understanding of new market segments and looking beyond traditional wireless telecom business models.
Entner said it seemed like there was a different game being played by the rivals, with T-Mobile US focused on being a mobile telecom operator, while AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless were looking to expand their market potential.
Thanks for joining us on this week’s carrier wrap, and make sure to check us out again next week when we add Sprint results into the Q1 evaluation equation.