Wireless Service Providers
In the United States there are currently more than 40 wireless service providers. Many are local while others such as Alltel and Cricket have strategies to expand farther their current networks in the Northeast, Southeast and West. In looking at the competition and trends, it is likely that the large players in the industry will either acquire smaller companies or that the companies that dominate the market will simply put smaller companies out of business.
The current top-four players in the industry are Cingular, Verizon, AT& T, and Sprint PCS.
Verizon Wireless tops the list of wireless providers, serving 33.3 million customers. It covers 49 of the top-50 wireless. markets and 97 of the top-100 markets and 97 of the top 100 markets. The company's network sales and infrastructure includes 1,200 company stores and 140 switching stations (Verizon 2002 Annual Report 2).
Cingular takes second place, serving 22 million customers in 43 U.S. markets (Cingular Wireless Investor Relations). The company is the industry leader in voice and data communication. It is the only company offering rollover plans, which allow customers to accumulate their unused minutes
A bidding war is currently underway for the acquisition of AT& T. Cingular stands poised to narrow the wireless field with its intention to purchase the profitable carrier (Weber). If successful, the transaction will narrow the competition and move Cingular into the number-one wireless provider in the United States.
Notes
Cingular Wireless Investor Relations. 2003. 16 Feb 2004. .
Sowders, Travis."Sprint Once Again Makes Telecom History." 30 May 2003. Sprint Press Release. 16 Feb 2004. .
Sprint 2001 Annual Report. Questions and Answers. 16 Feb 2004 .
Verizon 2002 Annual Report. 24 June 2003. .
Weber, Harry R. "Cingular Ups Offer For AT& T. Wireless To $38 Billion, Source Says." MiamiHerald.com. 16 Feb. 2004. 16 Feb 2004 .
