Data now a third of Verizon Wireless service revenues

Verizon Communications reported first quarter profits of $2.28 billion, down from $3.21 billion a year earlier, a drop credited in part to charges related to new federal healthcare laws but softened by consumer demand for broadband services, including wireless data. Verizon Wireless added 1.5 million total net customers in Q1 (only 423,000 postpaid customers, however) and now boasts 92.8 million subscribers in all--a 7.2 percent year-over-year increase. The operator posted Q1 retail service revenues totaling $13.4 billion, up 5 percent year over year, and retail data revenue increased 25.6 percent to $4.5 billion. Verizon Wireless adds that retail service ARPU remained the same year over year at $50.95, but retail data ARPU increased to $17.06, up 19.6 percent over Q1 2009.

Verizon Wireless' data revenues grew to 33.3 percent of all service revenues in the first quarter, up from 27.9 percent over the previous year. Verizon customers sent or received more than 175 billion text messages as well as close to 4.4 billion picture/video messages--subscribers also completed more than 29 million music and video downloads. Other Q1 highlights include the launch of NFL Mobile along with the introduction of new smartphones including the Android-powered Motorola Devour and Palm's Pre Plus and Pixi Plus.

For more on Verizon's Q1 results:
- read this release
- see these graphics

Related articles:
Verizon Wireless strips NFL sponsorship from Sprint
Verizon cranks up live video from Coachella music fest
Verizon Wireless premieres BilltoMobile payment service
Verizon Wireless introduces VZ Navigator 5.0