U.S. Cellular loses subscribers in Q2 but makes gains in LTE coverage

One of the biggest regional carriers, U.S. Cellular reported its results for the second quarter of the year and while it grew gross additions, the relatively high churn of 1.57% resulted in a net loss of subscribers. U.S. Cellular lost a total of 28,000 subscribers as pre-paid subs grew by 20,000 but subscribers on post-paid declined by 48,000. Still, the loss is narrower than the 58,000, the carrier lost in Q2 2011.

Less subscribers naturally translates into lower numbers and U.S. Cellular is no exception. With quarterly revenues standing at $1.02 billion, the carrier squeezed out a $52.7 million profit.

The best news about the carrier is that it keeps on steadily growing its 4G LTE network which now reached 30% of current customers. U.S. Cellular’s LTE network is planned to grow to cover 58% by the end of this year. Additionally, now 17% of all smartphones the carrier sells comes to LTE devices.

source: U.S. Cellular via MobileBurn