U.S. Cellular will become the next major carrier to sell Apple's iPhone.
According to the carrier's first quarter results, U.S. Cellular announced today that among their next strategies is to offer Apple products.
"We have a number of strategies in progress to increase loyalty and attract more customers, including our announcement today that we will begin offering Apple products later this year," said U.S. Cellular President and CEO Mary N. Dillon.
The U.S. Cellular president and CEO noted that strengthening their device portfolio would give consumers a reason to switch to the carrier.
"Our smartphone penetration is currently 43 percent of core market customers and growing quickly. We believe there will be strong, ongoing demand for smartphones and data products and services from our customers, and we have significant room for growth in this area," Dillon added.
The move to offer Apple products is a change from Dillon's previous statement in 2011. Dillon stated Apple's terms "were unacceptable from a risk and profitability standpoint."
Basically, the iPhone was too expensive.
During the first quarter results, U.S. Cellular reported service revenues of $996.3 million, down compared to the $1,023.8 million from the same period last year.
U.S. Cellular currently provides customer support to 5.7 million subscribers in 26 states.
For more on U.S. Cellular's 2013 first quarter results, click here.
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