AT&T quarterly earnings fall on cost of iPhone subsidy
AT&T's second quarter earnings beat Wall Street estimates, but still fell 15 percent year over year, as the highly successful launch of Apple's iPhone 3GS -- a phone subsidized by AT&T -- affected the company's bottom line.
With $0.54 earnings per share reported, AT&T stock fell from $0.63 earnings a year prior. The company's overall revenue fell less than a percent to $30.7 billion.
More than 2.4 million iPhones were activated in the quarter, with more than a third of those new customers.
In all, AT&T gained 1.4 million wireless subscribers. Its total number of customers sits at 79.6 million, which is 6.7 million higher than last year.
The iPhone helped AT&T reach a 3.5 million user increase in devices with 3G capabilities. That resulted in the carrier seeing a 37.2 percent increase in wireless data revenues, including Internet access and text messaging, totaling $3.4 billion. That's more than double the total for 2Q 2007.
"Our wireless momentum is excellent, operational execution and cost management continue to be strong, and in a challenging economy we delivered solid results," said Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and chief executive officer.
Net income was $3.2 billion, down from the $3.8 billion a year prior, due partially to the increased operating expenses associated with subsidizing the sale of the iPhone.
"Increased operating expenses in the second quarter of 2009, in part, reflect volume-based acquisition costs associated with the success of the iPhone 3GS launch, which started June 19," a statement from the company reads. "AT&T?s iPhone customer characteristics are attractive, with (average revenue per user) significantly higher than and churn rates well below the company?s postpaid averages; as a result, robust iPhone demand drives strong recurring revenues and substantial long-term value."
When the iPhone 3GS launched on June 19, it was the best sales day ever for the company's retail locations and Web site.
Despite the initial investment on the part of AT&T in iPhone customers, the company said it remains confident that those consumers will bolster the company in the future.
"AT&T iPhone subscribers, both new customers and upgrades, take two-year contracts with data packages," the company said. "As a result, robust iPhone demand drives strong recurring revenues and substantial long-term value."
With $0.54 earnings per share reported, AT&T stock fell from $0.63 earnings a year prior. The company's overall revenue fell less than a percent to $30.7 billion.
More than 2.4 million iPhones were activated in the quarter, with more than a third of those new customers.
In all, AT&T gained 1.4 million wireless subscribers. Its total number of customers sits at 79.6 million, which is 6.7 million higher than last year.
The iPhone helped AT&T reach a 3.5 million user increase in devices with 3G capabilities. That resulted in the carrier seeing a 37.2 percent increase in wireless data revenues, including Internet access and text messaging, totaling $3.4 billion. That's more than double the total for 2Q 2007.
"Our wireless momentum is excellent, operational execution and cost management continue to be strong, and in a challenging economy we delivered solid results," said Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and chief executive officer.
Net income was $3.2 billion, down from the $3.8 billion a year prior, due partially to the increased operating expenses associated with subsidizing the sale of the iPhone.
"Increased operating expenses in the second quarter of 2009, in part, reflect volume-based acquisition costs associated with the success of the iPhone 3GS launch, which started June 19," a statement from the company reads. "AT&T?s iPhone customer characteristics are attractive, with (average revenue per user) significantly higher than and churn rates well below the company?s postpaid averages; as a result, robust iPhone demand drives strong recurring revenues and substantial long-term value."
When the iPhone 3GS launched on June 19, it was the best sales day ever for the company's retail locations and Web site.
Despite the initial investment on the part of AT&T in iPhone customers, the company said it remains confident that those consumers will bolster the company in the future.
"AT&T iPhone subscribers, both new customers and upgrades, take two-year contracts with data packages," the company said. "As a result, robust iPhone demand drives strong recurring revenues and substantial long-term value."
Comments
Despite the initial investment on the part of AT&T in iPhone customers, the company said it remains confident that those consumers will bolster the company in the future.
They do flatter themselves a bit much, don't they? Unless this is a hint that they know the exclusive contract goes out for years to come.
Yeah right. They subsidy the iPhone just like they do with any other device, and No they don't lose a freggin dime, matter fact they only Pony up $100 or less for each iPhone that they subsidy, They pony up 2x as much for the HTC Fuze, So no they're not fooling anyone here.
I was thinking the same thing. They subsidized the 3G last year so how can their year over year be worse? There have been cost breakdowns of the parts and the 3G and 3GS were very close. I guess the only catch could be Apple charging more for the R&D needed but I have my doubts there.
I was thinking the same thing. They subsidized the 3G last year so how can their year over year be worse? There have been cost breakdowns of the parts and the 3G and 3GS were very close. I guess the only catch could be Apple charging more for the R&D needed but I have my doubts there.
The 3G didn't come out until July so no 3G subsidies were in the quarter a year ago. In fact, the 2G had it's subsidies in the monthly fees and not upfront like for the 3G and 3GS.
Still, AT&T earned billions in the quarter. I just wish they would pour more investment into their infrastructure (their service sucks in my area) and not pat themselves on the back for "cost containment". I dropped my iPhone service last month because I was fed up with AT&T.
I'm hoping Apple drops the exclusive and starts offering us consumers a choice of carriers. Both companies are making too much money to feel any real pressure to do what is right for consumers so I don't expect any changes. But, it sucks for me that I turned my iPhone 3G into an iPod Touch and have to carry a separate cell phone from a company that has a better network.
Yeah right. They subsidy the iPhone just like they do with any other device, and No they don't lose a freggin dime, matter fact they only Pony up $100 or less for each iPhone that they subsidy, They pony up 2x as much for the HTC Fuze, So no they're not fooling anyone here.
Yeah it's kind of the opposite to what Apple does to account for the phones. It receives the money upfront, but accounts for it over 2 years. AT&T subsidises (& loses) the money upfront, but makes that money back via the contract over 2 years.
The pity of it is that then people expect to be able to get a free upgrade at 12 months.
There's a guy on an Australian podcast who wanted to stay on the same 2 year contract as he started 1 year ago (ie stay committed to one more year), but pay $99 to switch to the 3GS. Now THAT would lose a telco a lot of money...
ps. Anyone know why the Apple store was down the last 2 hours? I only checked US, Australia, & HongKong.
I'm trying to price the Airport Extreme, but it says "item currently unavailable".
Yeah right. They subsidy the iPhone just like they do with any other device, and No they don't lose a freggin dime, matter fact they only Pony up $100 or less for each iPhone that they subsidy, They pony up 2x as much for the HTC Fuze, So no they're not fooling anyone here.
Where do you get $100 as the subsidy for the iPhone? From what I've read it's closer to $400.
Their revenue confidence also probably signals that they are factoring in a potential tethering fee, and possibly even an MMS fee.
Where do you get $100 as the subsidy for the iPhone? From what I've read it's closer to $400.
$400? Preposterous! Apple just reported that the average revenue per phone is $325 (5.2m units/$1.689b) Making the "average" subsidy range from $225 per 8gb 3G to $25 per 32gb 3GS.
I was thinking the same thing. They subsidized the 3G last year so how can their year over year be worse?
$400? Preposterous! Apple just reported that the average revenue per phone is $325 (5.2m units/$1.689b) Making the "average" subsidy range from $225 per 8gb 3G to $25 per 32gb 3GS.
$400? Preposterous! Apple just reported that the average revenue per phone is $325 (5.2m units/$1.689b) Making the "average" subsidy range from $225 per 8gb 3G to $25 per 32gb 3GS.
You do realize that there are $1.405 billion in deferred revenue for the quarter.
Last chart:
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2009/07/21results.html
$1.689 billion + $1.405 billion = $3.094 billion / 5.208 million iphones = $594.09 per iphone.
You do realize that there are $1.405 billion in deferred revenue for the quarter.
Last chart:
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2009/07/21results.html
$1.689 billion + $1.405 billion = $3.094 billion / 5.208 million iphones = $594.09 per iphone.
Nice analysis!
It is interesting to see that 55% of the revenue is being recognized up front, and 45% over the subsequent seven quarters. It is, indeed, consistent with ATT saying that they are paying a good chunk of the subsidy up front, thereby impacting margins in the short run.
$400? Preposterous! Apple just reported that the average revenue per phone is $325 (5.2m units/$1.689b) Making the "average" subsidy range from $225 per 8gb 3G to $25 per 32gb 3GS.
Brilliant* first post!
*See post #15
Here's what's pitiful. After two years, when AT&T has recouped its so-called "subsidy," why does my monthly rate NOT GO DOWN??? Hmmmm.......
This subsidy-over-two-years scheme is obviously a sham
"The pity of it is that then people expect to be able to get a free upgrade at 12 months."
Here's what's pitiful. After two years, when AT&T has recouped its so-called "subsidy," why does my monthly rate NOT GO DOWN??? Hmmmm.......
This subsidy-over-two-years scheme is obviously a sham
After they recoup their subsidy, they offer you a brand new opportunity to buy a new phone at a subsidized price.
After they recoup their subsidy, they offer you a brand new opportunity to buy a new phone at a subsidized price.
But if you want to keep your old phone, which is in theory paid for free and clear after two years, shouldn't your monthly rate go down?
I tell you, this whole concept of paying back AT&T's subsidy over two years is a farce
You do realize that there are $1.405 billion in deferred revenue for the quarter.
Last chart:
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2009/07/21results.html
$1.689 billion + $1.405 billion = $3.094 billion / 5.208 million iphones = $594.09 per iphone.
Yes, there is the deferred revenue, but I don't think that you can just add that in to the numerator and result in $595 per phone.
You see underlying the "recognized" revenue number includes deferred revenue from earlier periods. For simplicity I've chosen to assume they cancel each other out.
I think it's great that Apple can make a superior product and make good money. What I'm tired of is the straw argument that ATT is not making enough money because they have to subsidize. They outlay 100 to 400 and then get a buyer to put in another 2400 (roughly) over two years and still manage a net 10% profit. Sounds pretty good for a commodity service.
Brilliant!