Alltel boosts revenues, subs

Leading rural wireless provider Alltel added 237,000 subscribers in the 1^st quarter and boosted revenues 13% to 2 billion. The carrier now has just over 12 million customers, up 11% from the first quarter of last year.

Those strong metrics produced earnings of $225 million, a 34% increase year-over-year. Average revenue per user increased 2% over the same period to $52.49, beating many of its larger industry peers, while its total churn was 1.77%, which Alltel said its lowest yet.

“This was a record setting quarter for Alltel in both our financial and operational results,” President and CEO Scott Ford said in a statement.

Retail wireless service was the major source of Alltel’s growth, growing 14% to $1.88 billion, but wholesale still continues add to Alltel’s top line. Roaming revenues increased 2% to 154 million, and its whole sale transport revenues increased 349% to 46.4 million.