The competition in the US wireless market is getting fierce. Just ask T-Mobile. Citing increased pressure from other carriers offering innovative handsets, T-Mobile USA today reported a net loss of 77,000 customers in Q3 2009. The loss is striking, compared to the same quarter last year, when T-Mobile reported a net addition of 670,000 customers. Still, T-mobile USA’s parent company, Deutsche Telekom, reported a 7.2% bump in quarterly profit, increased to $1.4 billion for the quarter.
T-Mobile USA’s average revenue per user (ARPU) dropped in the third quarter, causing operating revenues to decline to $5.38 billion from $5.51 billion in the same period in 2008. As it stands, T-Mobile USA boasts 33.4 million subscribers, which is still an increase from last year. Even with a customer loss, T-Mobile USA is closing the gap with No. 3 US wireless carrier Sprint.
We’ll have to wait and see how the upcoming Samsung Behold II and BlackBerry Bold 9700 launches affect T-Mobile’s bottom line.
[Via: Forbes]