Top 5 US Mobile Network Operators
Data below are 2017 Top 5 US Mobile Network Operators, United States wireless communications service providers. Each active SIM card is considered a subscriber. Wholesale customers include Machine to machine and Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) customers that operate on the host network, but are managed by wholesale partners. Verizon Wireless does not report wholesale subscriber count. For comparison purpose, the total subscriber count for Verizon Wireless includes an estimated number of wholesale customers.
Largest Top 5 US Mobile Network Operators
1) Verizon Wireless
Technology:
– CdmaOne
– CDMA2000 1xRTT EV-DO Rev 0, Rev A
– 700/1700/1900 MHz LTE, LTE-A
Total Subscribers: 143.9 million on November 2016
Ownership: Verizon Communications
2) AT&T Mobility
– Includes Cricket Wireless
Technology:
– 850/1900 MHz UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA, HSPA+
– 700/1700/1900/2300 MHz LTE, LTE-A
Total Subscribers: 135 on January 2017
Ownership: AT&T Inc.
3) T-Mobile US
-Includes MetroPCS
Technology:
– GSM-1900 (GPRS, EDGE)
– 1700/1900 MHz AWS UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA, HSPA+ DC-HSPA+
– 700/1700/1900 MHz LTE, LTE-A
Total Subscribers: 71.5 million on January 2017
Ownership: Deutsche Telekom (66%)
4) Sprint Corporation
– Includes Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile USA
Technology:
– CdmaOne
– CDMA2000 1xRTT, 1x Advanced, EV-DO Rev 0, Rev A
– 800/1900 MHz FD-LTE, 2500 MHz TD-LTE, LTE-A
Total Subscribers: 59.5 million on January 2017
Ownership: SoftBank Corporation (80%)
5) U.S. Cellular
Technology:
– CdmaOne
– CDMA2000 1xRTT, EV-DO Rev 0, Rev A
– 700/850 MHz LTE
Total Subscribers: 4.9 million on January 2016
Ownership: Telephone and Data Systems (82%)
Please note for AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile US numbers include Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands subscribers.
Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) in the United States lease wireless telephone and data service from major carriers such as AT&T Mobility, Sprint Corporation, T-Mobile US, and Verizon Wireless, as well as the regional carrier the United States Cellular Corporation for resale. The largest operator of MVNO’s so far is TracFone Wireless with over 25 million subscribers.
