LITTLE ROCK, Ark.-Alltel Corp. reported it added 142,475 internally generated net subscribers to its wireless service during the fourth quarter, well below analyst estimates of 200,000 subscriber additions, and below the company’s guided range of between 175,000 to 200,000 subscribers.
The company added 291,000 total wireless customers through internal growth and acquisitions. For the year, Alltel added 1.3 million customers through internal growth and acquisitions, bringing its total customer base to 6.3 million subscribers.
Wireless revenues came in at $883 million, a 21-percent increase from last year, and slightly better than the $875 million analysts expected.
“Alltel succeeded in 2000 by continuing to focus on providing exemplary customer service while significantly expanding all of our operations, particularly wireless,” said Joe Ford, chairman and chief executive officer of Alltel.
Alltel’s board of directors also declared a 33 cents quarterly dividend on the company’s common stock. The dividend is expected to be paid on April 3 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 26.
