T-Mobile reports smaller profit in Q3; 77,000 customers flee on a net basis

T-Mobile reported profits of $417 million in the third quarter, down slightly from the $425 million reported after the prior three month period and the $442 million in profits made during the same period last year. The nation's fourth largest carrier suffered a loss of 77,000 customers on a net basis, a huge decline from the 670,000 net additions it had in last year's third quarter. The wireless operator had a net addition of 325,000 customers in this year's second quarter. The company had a total of 33.4 million customers as of the end of the latest period.. To put that number in perspective, top ranked Verizon serves about 89 million customers. Churn was 2.4%, up from last period's 2.2% and flat with last year's 3Q. Blended ARPU was $47 in the quarter, down from the $48 figure from the second quarter and $52 recorded a year ago. the carrier said that its' 3G network now reaches 167 potential customers.

The fourth quarter should be interesting as T-Mobile has started a new unlimited calling plan and is featuring its' FlexPay program that allows customers to finance-without interest charges-expensive phones. Some hot new devices are heading to the carrier in the next few weeks including the BlackBerry Bold 9700 and the Samsung Behold II.

RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700 Specifications
Samsung Behold II Preliminary Specifications

source: Samsung via FierceWireless