iPhone and AT&T: A few days ago, we talked about how the Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone is taking over Verizon’s business. Although this may be true, it is important to note that the company works with many other carriers including AT&T.
According to a report by AppleInsider, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and AT&T have teamed up for some pretty big smartphone sales numbers during the fourth quarter of 2012. This should be no surprise to most, as AT&T started out as the only carrier in the United States offering the iPhone.
Here is a brief excerpt to help you better understand just how big the sales numbers are:
“Second-largest U.S. wireless carrier AT&T on Thursday announced it activated a record 8.6 million iPhones, accounting for 84 percent of the telecom’s total 10.2 million smartphone sold, for the fourth quarter of 2012.”
By accounting for 84 percent of activations, it is easy to see that the iPhone has not left much room for the competition.
It is important to point out that the “8.6 million number” is activations only. This is not the number of sales, meaning that the iPhone may not have accounted for the full 84 percent. That being said, there is a very good chance that the number of overall sales will still be very close to this.
Although Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) may have had a disappointing earnings report, the same cannot be said for AT&T in terms of sales and new subscribers.
Here is more from the same article:
“The announcement was made as part of the company’s fourth quarter earnings, which saw a record 10.2 million smartphone sales, the most ever by any domestic carrier, and an addition of over 780,000 new subscribers. Overall, smartphones now make up 89 percent of AT&T’s postpaid sales.”
As you can see, the company has made major strides over the past few months. Not only did AT&T set a record number in terms of smartphone sales, many of which were the iPhone, they also brought on a lot of new business, which is crucial to future growth.
On the financial side of things, AT&T did not perform as well:
“AT&T posted a loss for the quarter ending in December with net losses at $3.9 billion or 68 cents per share, down from a loss of $6.7 billion or $1.12 per share from the year ago period. Revenues were up at $32.6 billion, up 0.2 percent year-over-year and up 2.8 percent excluding Advertising Solutions and adverse impacts from Superstorm Sandy.”
What are your thoughts on the relationship between Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and AT&T?
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DISCLOSURE: I have no positions in any stock mentioned.
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