What else can we learn about Sprint, wireless industry from AT&T, Verizon reports?
OK, OK, so Verizon Wireless and AT&T both signed more than 1 million new subscribers each during the first quarter and Sprint Nextel probably lost 1 million during the same period. But now that the wireless industry’s No. 1 and 2 companies have reported results, is there any additional insight to be gleaned in the two weeks before Sprint issues its first-quarter report? Some analysis is as clear-cut as the strong got stronger. “Wireless is still a very strong component of Verizon’s performance. Verizon has won many new customers from Sprint’s current soft spot in the marketplace,” stated Jeff Kagan, a telecommunications industry analyst. While Sprint may not be able to match the subscriber growth trends for a while, the AT&T and Verizon financial reports signaled other trends that Sprint probably is capitalizing on right now. Surfing the Internet, watching video and, of course, text messaging on mobile phones are among the data-oriented services enjoying robust growth, Kagan said. “Cus
