WHO ARE THE LARGEST WIRELESS PROVIDERS?

[SBERB2468]

I was just wondering if someone could provide me with a list or something of like the top 10 or 5 wireless providers in the US. I know that Verizon is number one and was wondering what companies followed (ex: T-Mobile, AT&T, Nextel, Sprint, Cingular) If anyone can provide a link or something to like a news article outlining the top providers please post it. Thanks.

[ComicalMoodyDan]

1. Verizon Wireless
2. Cingular Wireless
3. AT&T Wireless
4. Sprint PCS
5. Nextel
6. T-Mobile
7. ALLTEL
8. US Cellular

[northform]

Looks right to me.

[jayc]

I'd like to see a link that actually has the companies and the amount of subscribers they have.

[jmccrane]

I agree. The list is correct. As far as total subscribers that information is readily available in either the press releases or web sites of the carriers.

[jayc]

I guess a man just can't be lazy these days?

[jayc]

I compiled my own list... if anybody else has any other companies to add any input would be great.

These net subscribers are all as of 3Q 2002 except for Cingular which posted it's 4Q 2002. ATT/Sprint figures include affiliate subscribers.

Verizon Wireless - 31.5m
AT&T Wireless - 22.1m
Cingular Wireless - 21.9m
Sprint PCS - 16.7m
Nextel - 10.1m
T-mobile 8.9m
Alltel - 7.5m
US Cellular 3.9m

One interesting note is... AT&T has seemed to have passed Cingular if affiliate subscribers are included... I expect that when ATT releases 4Q earnings that even the non affiliate subscribers will pass up Cingular for the #2 spot.

[ComicalMoodyDan]

9. Cricket - 1.497 Million Customers

[Zackomatic]

JayC:

Your numbers look "spot on" as the British are fond of saying. I would also agree that AT&T has jumped over Cingular to take the number two spot, especially in light of the fact that for 2 quarters in a row Cingular has lost 100,000 subs in each of those 2 quarters.

I think Cingular needs to be absorbed by AT&T if it's survive,in spirit if not in name. For so many financial reasons the T-Mobile merger with Cingular is highly unlikely. Deutche Telecom wan'ts to wash too much long term debt in the deal and yet have a controlling interest in the combined company. AT&T makes sense, the name is already established, both networks are working(if you can use that word)towards deployment of GSM in the US, and at least in it's wireless division is in excellant financial shape. Cingular is apparently coming apart at the seams. Such a merger, would require Justice dept. approval, could produce a company that would be larger than Verizon and could lead the bottom tier providers to in turn merge, as a mere act of survival.

the Industry would stabilize and could shake out with four national carriers instead of the current 8-9. As the telecommunications industry continues tough going in these turbulent markets, stability in their wireless divisions, could allow them to concentrate on thier core business and finally begin to make some money back on these huge investments in spectrum and network buildouts they have conducted in the last few years.

[northform]

There are only 6 national carriers. Verizon, T-Mobile, Cingular, ATT, Nextel, and Sprint.

[PhonePerson]

There is a list available at rcrnews.com. Click the link "By the Numbers" under Resources, and then click the link "First Tier Wireless Carriers". However, the list was published last February so the subscriber numbers are incorrect. They should have an updated list soon.

[Strobe212]

I wouldnâ??t necessarily say that ATT has a WORKING network. Throughout the years and my travels, I have constantly activated ATT phones hoping that they finally work where I need them to. Without fail, I usually cancel within a week. Happened as recently as a month and a half ago when I got the joint GSM/TDMA Siemens S46. Returned it the next weekend.

[ILUVSOCAL]

US Cellular is also a national carrier.

[ComicalMoodyDan]

US Cellular is not a National Carrier. They don't have a large enough footprint in the US or enough subscribers to be considered a National Carrier.

[ILUVSOCAL]

I consider them a National Carrier, they provide service in quite a few areas, so I guess to me they are national.

[tino]

At&T needs to merge with another company to acquire their subscribers there for making them the largest....j/k!

[northform]

Couple comments...

Therefore is one word.

US Cellular is definitely not a national carrier. They have no coverage (or licences) in MT, UT, NV, AZ, NM, CO, WY, ND, SD, MN, AR, AL, MS, LA, KY, MI, NJ, NY, CT, RI, MA, DE. They don't have a licence for most of CA, NE, TX, FL, IL, IN.

Basically, they provide service in CA north of San Francisco; part of WA, OR, ID, TX, WI, OK, ME, NH, VT, NC, SC, VA, WV, IL, IN, IA MO and FL. Their coverage area is mostly limited to rural markets. They definitely aren't national.

Go to this website and look at the black outlined area: http://www.seymourtxchamber.org/busi...llplanmaps.htm

[tino]

AT&T nationally over the past year has worked great, in atlanta though coverage is spotty...But no one can beat coverage rurally for me than ATT! i used just about every one

[ILUVSOCAL]

I know where they have service, I live in one of their service areas in Northern Califonia. Who really cares anyway, to me it's national, to you it's not, no big deal.

[SBERB2468]

OK SERIOUSLY STOP TRYING TO ARGUE. YOU ARE WRONG!!!!! US CELLULAR IS NOT A NATIONAL CARRIER WHETHER YOU WANT TO SAY IT IS OR NOT. IT'S NOT WHETHER YOU THINK IT IS OR NOT. IT'S THE SIMPLE FACT THAT IT DOES NOT HAVE A LARGE ENOUGH FOOTPRINT. NOW YOUR WRONG SO JUST GIVE IT UP ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!! GEEEEEEEZ!!!!!!!

[ILUVSOCAL]

One, who really cares, and two, STOP YELLING, I think mod notify is in order here, going now.

[Zackomatic]

Hey, give ILUVSOCAL a break!

While it technically may be true that US CELLULAR isn't a "national" carrier would you agree that they are an "emerging" regional carrier perhaps on the brink of National?

Besides, using Cingular as an example, being a "national carrier" isn't such a hot thing right now. Depending on who's list you read here Cingular has already dropped to number three, and the way US CELLULAR is adding customers(at least in the midwest region) perhaps they could move up the list.

Give it a year or two, and there may not even be a Cingular Wireless. I don't know if they have rolled out their latest calling plan but they started advertising yesterday for a $29.99/5300 min plan. This plan is a joke, for your $30 you get 300 anytime minutes, 5000 night & weekend min and long distance calling from the home calling area. US CELLULAR's $20 for first year of 2yr. cont(then 40$)which provides 900 ANYTIME minutes, UNLIMITED night and weekend minutes and UNLIMITED long distance from the home coverage area is still the unbeatable plan in the Midwest. Cingular's plan is just a rehash of plans they have had in the past. I detest when the carrier's try to impress with a big bucket of minutes, but in reality only give you a limited anytime minute bucket. Nextel is trying this crap now too and I hope people aren't fooled, to me its transparent. Cingular is getting it's butt kicked on a daily basis and this is it's response?

Looks like they have given up on "Rollover" or at least they are not highlighting this in their advertising, my guess is because they are afraid people will begin to say "Rollover, Cingular play dead, good boy"

[Matt]

T-M added about 1M subscribers. Their total is now 9.9M

http://biz.yahoo.com/djus/030128/0843000490_1.html

[ScandaLEX]

Originally posted by: TNDan21
1. Verizon Wireless
2. Cingular Wireless
3. AT&T Wireless
4. Sprint PCS
5. Nextel
6. T-Mobile
7. ALLTEL
8. US Cellular

I am amazed that Cingular comes in 2nd on this list as part of the top companies when just about everything I hear or read about them seems so pitiful.

[ComicalMoodyDan]

If AT&T keeps posting good numbers and Cingular continues this tread of losing them it won't be long until Cingular loses its Number 2 spot. AT&T is already nipping at Cingular's heels right now.

2. Cingular Wireless - 21.9 Million Customers
3. AT&T Wireless - 20.859 Million Customers

[ehcruzan]

Keep your eye on T-Mobile....they're doing something right.

[TheSPCSGuy]

I know AT&T can just feel it. They can smell it!
Now Sprint has to do something to catch up with the pack. 16M is not good..not when the 3 in front of you are pushing 20+M.

JE

[jmccrane]

Originally posted by: TheSPCSGuy
I know AT&T can just feel it. They can smell it!
Now Sprint has to do something to catch up with the pack. 16M is not good..not when the 3 in front of you are pushing 20+M.

JE

Sprint can pass Cingular (who may keep dropping) and go neck and neck with AT&T if they keep improving as they are. Sprint's reputation is getting better and better, while it's major coverage issues are disappearing. Sprint has a better tower-building program than any carrier I know of. T-Mobile has a chance to catch Nextel at #5 but has a long way to go (at least 7 mil subscribers) to catch Sprint. Verizon is still out of reach in the short-term but a few years down the road, anything could happen.

[larry]

Sprint's 4th quarter numbers haven't come in yet have they? They should go past 17 million when the new figures come in.

[d1hamby]

Sprint is a global communications company serving more than 26 million business and residential customers in over 70 countries. With approximately 75,000 employees worldwide and more than $26 billion in annual revenues