Since the first four and a half-pound mobile handset was introduced by John F. Mitchell and Dr. Martin Cooper of Motorola in 1973, the product and the industry has grown astronomically. From the early 1990s to 2013, the number of worldwide mobile phone subscribers grew from 12.4 million to over 7 billion people. Whether you still own the flip phone you bought 15 years ago or just bought the latest and greatest smartphone, you still need to choose from one of the many mobile carriers across the country. Listed below are the five largest mobile carriers in order of market cap.
5. United States Cellular Corporation – $3.1 billion
The United States Cellular Corporation–more commonly known as U.S. Cellular–has slowly grown into one of the largest regional mobile carriers in the country. Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Cellular serves over 4 million customers across 426 markets in 26 states all while continuing to expand it reach.
4. Sprint Corporation – $23.2 billion
Serving over 54 million customers across the United States, the Overland Park, Kansas-based Sprint Corporation provides mobile and wireless voice, messaging and broadband services through a number of subsidiaries under the Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile and Assurance Wireless names as well as its own nationwide cellular service.
3. T-Mobile US, Inc. – $24.1 billion
The American branch of the German wireless network operator T-Mobile International AG, T-Mobile US, Inc. provides wireless voice, messaging and data services to over 50 million customers across the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. T-Mobile also operates under the brands MetroPCS and GoSmart Mobile.
2. AT&T Inc. – $177.6 billion
AT&T Mobility, the mobile branch of AT&T Inc. formerly known as Cingular Wireless LLC, provides wireless services to over 116 million subscribers across the country as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Lenox Park, Georgia, AT&T Mobility strives to “mobilize your world.”
1. Verizon Communications Inc. – $201.7 billion
Founded in 2000, Verizon Wireless–a wholly owned subsidy of Verizon Communications Inc.–takes the top spot as the largest mobile carrier in the United States. Originally a joint venture between Bell Atlantic and British telecommunications company Vodaphone, Verizon Wireless currently provides mobile services to over 122 million subscribers.
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