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​Sprint fends off T-Mobile for No. 3 spot; Eyes Hispanic market growth

Sprint ends the first quarter 57.14 million total subscribers to narrowly hang on to the No. 3 carrier title in the U.S.
Written by Larry Dignan, Contributor

Sprint added 1.2 million net connections on its core service in the first quarter and 211,000 postpaid subscribers to hang on to the No. 3 spot in the U.S. wireless carrier race.

When T-Mobile reported its first quarter results, it appeared to be the new No. 3 based on expectations for Sprint.

However, Sprint ended the first quarter with 57.14 million total wireless connections. Of that sum, 56.14 million were on the Sprint brand.

T-Mobile ended the first quarter with 56.84 million total customers. Also see: T-Mobile adds 1.8 million customers in Q1, becomes threat to wireless giants

Statistically speaking, you could call the T-Mobile and Sprint race a tie. That said you can see why there are off-and-on chatter about merging T-Mobile and Sprint. The combination of the two carriers would provide more firepower to take on AT&T and Sprint.

Based on Sprint's investor presentation the growth plan going forward is to target the Hispanic market in the U.S.

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As for the financials, Sprint reported operating income of $318 million on revenue of $8.3 million, down 7 percent from a year ago. The net loss for Sprint in the first quarter was $224 million, or 6 cents a share.

Sprint said it has been working to improve customer service and its network. The company's postpaid churn was 1.84 percent.

Here's a look at the subscriber breakdown for Sprint.

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