Now that the first-quarter earnings season is coming to a close, it's time to take stock and see how each of the major carriers performed. FierceWireless has compiled several reports from leading analysts to present an in-depth look at just how Verizon Wireless, AT&T, T-Mobile US and Sprint each performed in the first quarter of 2016.
Once again, T-Mobile dominated the postpaid phone net adds among the major operators, adding 877,000 new subscribers, while the other major operators either lost subs or added very few, according to Jackdaw Research. Verizon lost postpaid phone subscribers in the first quarter while adding a healthy number throughout the rest of the year, as its lower promotional activity combined with stronger prepaid competition skimmed off low-end subs, though only very few this time around.
Sprint was positive for the third consecutive quarter, with 22,000 new subs. AT&T, meanwhile, lost postpaid phone subs for the sixth consecutive quarter. Overall, the operators added slightly more postpaid phone subs this quarter than a year ago, with 528,000 versus 368,000, but the first quarter was a low point once again relative to the rest of the year. For more on how these and other operators performed in the quarter, check out this FierceWireless special report.