Metro PCS

US mobile network operator, MetroPCS has reported 3rd quarter revenues of US$687 million, an increase of 23% over the third quarter of 2007, and income from operations of approximately US$121 million, a decrease of 9% when compared to the third quarter of 2007.  The Company reported third quarter 2008 consolidated net income of approximately $45 million as compared to consolidated net income of $53 million for the same period in 2007.

“We are pleased to report very solid results in the third quarter, highlighted by strong subscriber growth and reduced customer churn when compared to the prior year quarter in both our Core and Expansion Markets. With the current challenging economic environment, the fundamentals of our business continue to show favorable trends and results. These results demonstrate the resiliency of our business as we added approximately 249 thousand subscribers in the third quarter and approximately 1.2 million subscribers during the last four quarters. We also are pleased to report that we have achieved another significant milestone having recently surpassed five million subscribers,” said Roger D. Linquist, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of MetroPCS. Continue reading

For years the wired phone companies have been one of the most stable industries in a poor economy.  According to MetroPCS CEO, Roger Linquist, wireless carriers are now taking over this roll and he believes that wireless is a safe haven.  “Wireline used to be a safe haven,” he said, contrasting the line losses of the phone companies with MetroPCS’s own performance.  For the record, the Dallas-based company had an early indication of economic weakness when the number of customers who canceled service rose in the fourth quarter last year, but the carrier has added 600,000 subscribers this year.

With the largest demographic of MetroPCS subscribers coming from low income family and often immigrants it is clear that affordable wireless services are highly valued.  Despite being limited to small service areas, MetroPCS has been able to excel thanks to $40 plans that offer unlimited calling.  Unfortunately there is no immunity when it comes our current financial crisis and we will find out soon if the wireless industry truly is a safe haven for MetroPCS.

Source: AP News

MetroPCS has followed the move of Verizon Wireless by announcing they would be switching to GSM-based LTE technology for their next generation wireless network (4G).  As it currently stands, Verizon Wireless is joined by Alltel Wireless, At&t, MetroPCs, and potentially T-mobile (they have not made their announcement) in the push for LTE to be the global standard for next generation wireless.  On the opposing end of the spectrum you have Sprint’s deal with ClearWire which leaves Sprint as the only US carrier supporting the roll out of WiMAX, scheduled to go nationwide later this year (cross fingers).

The big question now is how long will CDMA technology last in the US with all other CDMA carriers switching over to GSM based LTE technology? In any case, it might be the time for Sprint to start considering that buy out from T-mobile (Deutsche Telekom) to combine their subscriber base, use T-mobile’s customer service and offer the best value in wireless with WiMAX data speeds.

Tired of your CDMA network and looking for an affordable regional carrier delivering unlimited calling for under $40/month with unlimited text for only $3 more?  Well MetroPCS is setting the pace for major carriers by announcing they will activate and reprogram any CDMA phone on their network.  The announcement poses the biggest threat to US CDMA carriers, Sprint and Verizon, who both have a much larger phone catalog which would interest those looking at MetroPCS for the price, but turned away by the limited phone selection.  Late last year both Sprint and Verizon made announcements that they would reprogram unlocked CDMA phones for their network, but after initial reports of CSR training the news quickly died off.

While we are not subscribers of MetroPCS the move could spark Sprint and Verizon to offer their own services for activating and reprogramming unlocked CDMA phones.  Although being able to take your Sprint Instinct over to Verizon Wireless and activate it sounds great for the consumer, the business model of the Wireless Industry relies on the 2 year agreements and the exclusive contracts build customer loyalty, whether that loyalty is due to a $200 cancellation fee or an exclusive phone is part of their bottom line.

MetroPCS Communications, Inc., (formerly General Wireless, Inc.) was launched in 2002 and is a provider of CDMA wireless communications services in the greater Miami, Tampa, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Atlanta, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Daytona, Dallas, Detroit, Orlando, and Sacramento metropolitan areas. It is the seventh largest wireless telecommunications network in the United States. As of the ending of first quarter of 2008, MetroPCS serves a total of over 4.4 million subscribers. - Wikepedia.org

If you are in the market for a slim phone with an easy to use interface and Metro PCS is your carrier, Samsung has you covered. The Samsung Spex (SCH-r210) will be coming to MetroPCS users who are not looking for endless features, but simply looking for a device to get the job done.  You won’t find a 5 megapixel camera or a fancy UI, but you will have a device that takes care of your phone calls and packs Stereo Bluetooth support.

Samsung SCH-r210 Modern Classic: Spex