AT&T posts 64% mobile data revenue growth in Q3

AT&T reported a 41 percent rise in third-quarter net income, galvanized by iPhone sales and a 64 percent increase in mobile data revenues. AT&T posted net income of $3.06 billion, compared with $2.17 billion a year earlier--the operator's wireless unit added two million subscribers in Q3, up 47 percent and propelling overall subs to 65.7 million as of Sept. 30, up 12 percent. Wireless revenue surged 14 percent to $10.94 billion, with earnings rising 39 percent to $1.93 billion as operating costs increased by 10 percent. Total churn for postpaid subs dropped to 1.3% from 1.5%.

According to AT&T, it has sold more than 1.4 million iPhones since launching the Apple-branded device in late June, no doubt a significant catalyst behind the 64 percent spike in mobile data revenues. AT&T ARPU was up 2 percent to $50.82. -Jason

For more on AT&T's Q3 earnings:
- read this Wall Street Journal article

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