Record AT&T Smartphone Sales Bode Well for iPhone in 4Q 2012

[MacRumors]

CNET reports on comments from AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega today revealing that the carrier has experienced record-breaking smartphone sales through the first two months of the fourth quarter of 2012.

The wireless carrier is selling smartphones at a record pace -- 6.4 million already in the first two months of the quarter, according to Ralph de la Vega, CEO of AT&T's mobility arm. De la Vega, speaking at an investor conference today, said he now expects to sell 26 million smartphones this year, 1 million more than previously expected.

The current record for the carrier was set in the fourth quarter of 2011 with 9.4 million smartphone activations on the strength of the iPhone 4S launch.

Given that the iPhone typically represents 70-80% of AT&T's smartphones, the carrier's record numbers for the quarter so far bode well for Apple. Apple will likely also see a boost from its rapid rollout of the iPhone 5, which is already offered in nearly 50 countries and will be available in more than 50 additional countries by the end of the month.

Apple is clearly expecting a blockbuster quarter, having issued guidance for a record $52 billion in revenue on the strength of not only the iPhone 5 but also the new iPad mini and the just-updated full-size iPad, as well as recent updates to most of the company's Mac and iPod lines.

Article Link: Record AT&T Smartphone Sales Bode Well for iPhone in 4Q 2012

[iBreatheApple]

Perfect. Now I don't want to hear any complaining about how my contract isn't up when I'm trying to upgrade to the iPhone 5S next year.

[pnoyblazed]

pretty sure that partly accounts for those who upgrade every year

[Razeus]

No wonder he has the worst network and customer service. The numbers show he doesn't need to and his customers are obviously happy with the service.

[thekev]

Originally Posted by iBreatheApple

Perfect. Now I don't want to hear any complaining about how my contract isn't up when I'm trying to upgrade to the iPhone 5S next year.

Well you did sign the contract, and they have to recoup the subsidy costs. Personally I hate the subsidy model. It's like you're taking out a high interest loan from the carrier.

[iBreatheApple]

Originally Posted by thekev

Well you did sign the contract, and they have to recoup the subsidy costs. Personally I hate the subsidy model. It's like you're taking out a high interest loan from the carrier.

Hence the ...

And for some reason I still feel entitled.

[thekev]

Originally Posted by iBreatheApple

Hence the ...

And for some reason I still feel entitled.

I'd really like to see cheaper plans rather than more subsidies. I feel like the companies making handsets benefit most from the arrangement.

[iBreatheApple]

Originally Posted by thekev

I'd really like to see cheaper plans rather than more subsidies. I feel like the companies making handsets benefit most from the arrangement.

True... in fact, I don't even know if I'd still have a smartphone if I didn't receive a 24% through my company. $100/month is my limit, I can't justify paying more.

[KdParker]

Originally Posted by iBreatheApple

Perfect. Now I don't want to hear any complaining about how my contract isn't up when I'm trying to upgrade to the iPhone 5S next year.

Or...just switch with some one on your plan.

[henrystar]

Presumably the stock will fall still further on this wonderful news.

[Szarky]

Originally Posted by henrystar

Presumably the stock will fall still further on this wonderful news.

So sad, so true.

[NIKKG]

Maybe the Nokia Lumia 920 raised their sales since its a new phone and it was sold at $99 with a charging plate.

[napabar]

Originally Posted by NIKKG

Maybe the Nokia Lumia 920 raised their sales since its a new phone and it was sold at $99 with a charging plate.

Nokia who?

[barkomatic]

I hope they use some of the cash to rush the upgrades to their network. Of course, I always say that.

[rdlink]

Originally Posted by NIKKG

Maybe the Nokia Lumia 920 raised their sales since its a new phone and it was sold at $99 with a charging plate.

Yeah, that must be it

Have you even seen one in the wild?

[LagunaSol]

Oh geez, my AAPL shares can't take much more good news this week.

[Mr Hill]

How is this possible? I thought Apple was doomed and on their way to becoming the next RIM.

[Westside guy]

Originally Posted by henrystar

Presumably the stock will fall still further on this wonderful news.

The correction appears to have run its course: Apple's share price via Yahoo!

[Frisco]

Originally Posted by henrystar

Presumably the stock will fall still further on this wonderful news.

Exactly! Just like Citigroup's stock soared today on their announcement of laying of 10,000 employees.

This is what wall street has come down to. You lay off workers and your stock goes up. I am sure the Citi Board and Upper Management are laughing in our faces today. So much for bailing their asses out. People online are blaming Obama, but remember it is kiddy Bush that bailed them out.

[KPOM]

Originally Posted by Frisco

Exactly! Just like Citigroup's stock soared today on their announcement of laying of 10,000 employees.

This is what wall street has come down to. You lay off workers and your stock goes up. I am sure the Citi Board and Upper Management are laughing in our faces today. So much for bailing their asses out. People online are blaming Obama, but remember it is kiddy Bush that bailed them out.

But by that logic, Bush II also "bailed out" GM and Chrysler (he extended them TARP funds in December 2008). Point taken, though. The "Street" is somewhat difficult to understand sometimes, which makes it much easier to conclude that manipulation is at hand.

[etrinh]

Originally Posted by Frisco

Exactly! Just like Citigroup's stock soared today on their announcement of laying of 10,000 employees.

This is what wall street has come down to. You lay off workers and your stock goes up. I am sure the Citi Board and Upper Management are laughing in our faces today. So much for bailing their asses out. People online are blaming Obama, but remember it is kiddy Bush that bailed them out.

Isn't the bailout a financing offer from the govt. It wasn't free money. Call it a loan if you may. We loaned them money. They still have to pay it back if they already didn't + interest

----------

Originally Posted by jim.bright17

Or in the last year...
AAPL - Up 37%
RIMM - Down -30%

...depends how you look at it i guess.

I agree. Short term vs long term. I'm not a hedger so I don't play the short market. Just invest money that you can tie up for a long time. It makes the swings much more tolerable

[KPOM]

Originally Posted by henrystar

Presumably the stock will fall still further on this wonderful news.

It was down 6% today for reasons unclear to just about everyone. Some analysts blamed Nokia's contract with China Mobile. Others blamed new margin requirements by brokerage firms, while a few blamed the fiscal cliff. Heck, some even blamed the "5S" rumors from Digitimes.

[faroZ06]

Originally Posted by henrystar

Presumably the stock will fall still further on this wonderful news.

Yeah really, what the heck?? Just look at AMZN's P/E then AAPL's. Look at how MSFT reacts to horrible tablet sales and the dying PC market, then look at how AAPL reacts to faint speculation that the rate of profits increasing may slow down. The AAPL investors must be finicky compared to those holding onto the sinking ship MSFT.

But it's actually good that people are selling stock for a company that is gaining. If Apple really does grow, buying the deflated stock beforehand would be much more lucrative.

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Originally Posted by NMSUballa

Here I was thinking there is a recession. We have money for the things we want.

"We are the 99% exploited by all corporations!"
- sent from my iPhone

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Originally Posted by rdlink

Yeah, that must be it

Have you even seen one in the wild?

I've honestly never seen anything but an Apple, Samsung, or Motorola smartphone in the wild since 2007. In fact, most smartphones I see are iPhones, then there are a few Samsung phones and a smaller number of Motorola phones.

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Originally Posted by Radio

How about enabling FaceTime you son of a #*#*{=

How about it? It would slow down the network for everyone, so no.

[longhegrin]

Originally Posted by henrystar

Presumably the stock will fall still further on this wonderful news.

Oooo.... someone bought Apple shares and is not happy with the price falling!

Hey, if Apple will be making much higher profits five years from now, shouldn't you be HAPPY that the price is falling because you can buy more shares at a lower price than they're worth (or will be worth five years from now)??

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Originally Posted by dumb terminal

And the stock price went down...

You have to ask yourself... "So what?"

The price went down. So what?
It is meaningless. For example, if the stock price went down from $580 to $100 this year, and nothing changed inside Apple (e.g. Cook and Ive still loved working there) would it change your opinion of Apple's profits and cash flow?

The price went down. So what?
The price changed. So what?
It's just a price.

[STiNG Operation]

On one hand it's great for at&t as a company. On the other, they most likely will ignore the huge majority of places/states without LTE for a little while longer. It seems like companies need to experience fall backs before they do anything about the areas they lack in these days...