WOBURN, Mass.-Boston Communications Group Inc. reported record first-quarter earnings of $23.1 million, a 53 percent increase from the same period a year ago.
The telecommunications billing and transaction processing company, known best for its prepaid wireless services, earned net income of $3.3 million, or 18 cents per share, compared with a net loss of $1.5 million, or nine cents per share, during the first quarter of 2002.
The latest tally includes $915,000, or three cents per share in after-tax income, primarily for continuing defense against a patent infringement suit that Freedom Wireless has lodged against BCGI.
“There are no developments to report on the case, and the exact timing of procedures has not been determined . BCGI remains confident that it does not infringe on Freedom Wireless’ patents,” the company said.
In conjunction with its first-quarter earnings release late March 16, BCGI said it had signed multi-year contract extensions for its Voyager Billing and Customer Care offering with Virginia Cellular LLC, Staunton, Va., NE Colorado Cellular Inc., Fort Morgan, Colo., and Bermuda Digital Communications Ltd., Hamilton, Bermuda, doing business as Cellular One Bermuda. BCGI also added a new customer, MobileTel LLC, Larose, La., for its prepaid wireless solution.
