It is the best of times. It is the worst of times.
Sprint PCS reported second-quarter financials so great, they even surprised analysts covering the industry. Last week, three of the six largest wireless operators- Cingular Wireless, AT&T Wireless and Nextel Communications Inc.-reported both customer additions and financial results showing little economic effect on the carriers. And a handful of smaller operators continued to show strong growth.
More than 119 million people subscribe to wireless service in the United States.
It is the best of times.
It is the worst of times: Despite their positive second-quarter adds, AT&T, Nextel and Leap all experienced stock selloffs after their earnings were released. Stockholders are getting suspicious about future earnings.
The paging industry, the fixed wireless industry, the mobile satellite industry and the wireless data industry all are becoming too familiar with the ins and outs of bankruptcy law.
It is the worst of times: Lucent Technologies Inay choose food over wireless connectivity. The unstoppable wireless growth may slow a bit. However, carriers also likely will have the luxury of a quieter, softer descent from rather high perches, compared with the rapid, painful free fall that telecom equipment vendors have experienced.
The flash flood of this economic downturn has turned into the rainy season. Did anyone bring an umbrella?
