Messaging, media bundles increase AT&T Q4 data revs

AT&T reported its fourth quarter 2007 earnings, claiming the largest quarterly subscriber gain ever posted by a U.S. service provider. AT&T's reported fourth-quarter revenues totaled $30.3 billion, up from $15.9 billion a year ago; net income for the quarter was $3.1 billion, compared with $1.9 billion in Q4 2007. AT&T posted a net gain of 2.7 million wireless subscribers, up 13.5 percent from 2.4 million net adds in the year-earlier fourth quarter. According to the operator, the growth was driven by 1.2 million retail postpaid net adds, up 36.8 percent versus results from a year ago. AT&T's acquisition of Dobson Communications was also responsible for adding 1.7 million subscribers, bringing its total year-end wireless subscriber base to 70.1 million.

AT&T posted total wireless revenues of $11.4 billion, up 16.3 percent over Q4 2007--service revenues grew 15.7 percent to $10.2 billion, and ARPU rose to $50.28. Wireless data revenues increased 57.5 percent compared to a year ago, galvanized by smartphone and 3G device adoption--according to AT&T, the data surge reflects growth in messaging, media bundles, laptop connectivity, smartphone connectivity and enterprise vertical market solutions.

For more on AT&T's Q4 earnings:
- read this release

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