U.S. Cellular's net income down but ARPU up

U.S. Cellular posted a solid first quarter with service and data revenues increasing 12 percent and 49 percent year-on-year, respectively, however, net income dropped to $70.6 million, down from $74.4 million a year ago. Service revenues reached $962.1 million, while data revenues climbed to $115.7 million. U.S. Cellular's operating income increased by 9.6 percent to hit $119 million, while average revenue per user (ARPU) also jumped 6.9 percent to $52.06. The carrier reported retail postpaid churn of 1.4 percent, and noted that postpaid customers make up 95 percent of its retail customers.

For more:
- read this U.S. Cellular Q1 2008 release