Un-carrier momentum carries T-Mobile past Sprint, AT&T and Verizon for top spot in prepaid wireless market, brings new level of customer service and network quality to growing prepaid marketplace
BELLEVUE, Washington—August 6, 2014—On the heels of yet another strong quarterly performance report, T-Mobile US Inc. (NYSE: TMUS) today announced the Un-carrier has overtaken rivals AT&T, Verizon and Sprint to become the No.1 U.S. wireless provider in the increasingly important prepaid mobile marketplace.
According to the most recent reported figures, T-Mobile US now boasts 15.64 million prepaid customers compared to Sprint’s 15.19 million customers in the prepaid market. AT&T most recently reported 11.34 million prepaid customers. Verizon Wireless reports 6.04 million prepaid customers.
“The good news just keeps on coming for T-Mobile,” said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile US, Inc. “The momentum we’re seeing with our T-Mobile and MetroPCS brands is outstanding, and the fact that we’ve blown by everyone to take the No.1 spot in prepaid is icing on the cake. As a matter of fact, I’m going on record—I predict we’ll overtake Sprint in total customers by the end of this year. Not someday. Not next year. This year. Americans are voting with their feet, and they’re joining this Un-carrier revolution by the millions.”
Providers have been placing increasing emphasis on this important area of the mobile marketplace. Still, no wireless company has seen nearly the success the Un-carrier has in this critical market.
The Un-carrier’s MetroPCS brand in particular has seen unprecedented gains since merging with T-Mobile on May 1st of last year. MetroPCS effectively tripled its market reach to 45 major metro areas and nearly 10,000 stores, while migrating its customers onto America’s fastest nationwide 4G LTE network. This aggressive expansion of markets and coverage has led MetroPCS to grow to over 10 million customers—and the numbers continue to climb.
In fact, with over 1.2 million new customers since this time last year, MetroPCS has been adding customers at a rate of one customer every 27 seconds.
With T-Mobile US now solidly in the lead in the important prepaid wireless space, the Un-carrier is clearly firing on all cylinders. Since the start of the year, T-Mobile has maintained the undisputed title of America’s fastest nationwide 4G LTE network—as proven yet again by CNET’s most recent industry-wide tests. Further, the Un-carrier now has over 50 million customers--and shows no signs whatsoever of slowing down. In the second quarter of 2014, T-Mobile US added 1.5 million net new customers for a fifth straight quarter with over 1 million total net new customers. And the Un-carrier again led the overall industry in growth, beating out rivals AT&T, Verizon and Sprint.
“Not only are we seeing record growth, we’re also making huge strides on our network and in customer support,” said Legere. “Our 4G LTE network is still the fastest in the nation, and both T-Mobile and MetroPCS brands have the highest J.D. Power scores for customer care in our respective categories. Oh and today we overtook Sprint in total market cap. Any questions?”
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. Any statements made herein that are not statements of historical fact, including statements about T-Mobile US, Inc.'s plans, outlook, beliefs, opinion, projections, guidance, strategy, predictions about customer growth, integration of MetroPCS, expected network modernization and other advancements, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "anticipate," "expect," "suggests," "plan," “project,” "believe," "intend," "estimates," "targets," "views," "may," "will," "forecast," “predict,” and other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, are based on current assumptions and expectations, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could affect future results and cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: our ability to compete in the highly competitive U.S. wireless telecommunications industry; adverse conditions in the U.S. and international economies and markets; significant capital commitments and the capital expenditures required to effect our business plan; our ability to adapt to future changes in technology, enhance existing offerings, and introduce new offerings to address customers' changing demands; changes in legal and regulatory requirements, including any change or increase in restrictions on our ability to operate our network; our ability to successfully maintain and improve our network, and the possibility of incurring additional costs in doing so; major equipment failures; severe weather conditions or other force majeure events; and other risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2014. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
About T-Mobile US, Inc.
As America's Un-carrier, T-Mobile US, Inc. (NYSE: TMUS) is redefining the way consumers and businesses buy wireless services through leading product and service innovation. The company's advanced nationwide 4G and expanding 4G LTE network delivers outstanding wireless experiences for customers who are unwilling to compromise on quality and value. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile US provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile and MetroPCS. It currently serves over 50 million wireless subscribers and provides products and services through 70,000 points of distribution. For more information, please visithttps://www.t-mobile.com.
T-Mobile and MetroPCS have received (J.D. Power) awards for the “Highest Ranked Customer Service Performance among Full Service and Non-Contract Wireless Providers”, respectively.
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