[April 18, 2012]

Fitch: Post-Paid Drive Wireless Additions during Fourth Quarter

Approximately 4.7 million revenue generating units (RGUs) were added by the largest telecommunication service providers in 4Q'11, led by approximately 5.1 million wireless subscriber additions, according to a special report issued by Fitch Ratings.

Increasing smartphone penetration and the launch of the iPhone (News - Alert) 4S were the primary catalysts supporting a 57% year over year increase of post-paid subscribers, highlighting the fourth quarter results. Additionally strong high speed data subscriber additions, along with improving video subscriber loss trends contributed to a 30% year over year gain in RGU additions among the largest cable multiple system operators.

Fitch's special report 'U.S. Communications Industry Leaders Competitive Scorecard' discusses trends in the 4Q'11 regarding the scope and depth of the competitive overlap of leading telecommunications operators. The report compares the competitive positions of the leading local exchange carriers (LEC), cable multiple system operators (MSOs), wireless service providers and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) operators.

The report also summarizes key operating metrics financial statistics, particularly related to key forecast items such as revenue growth, margin changes, capital re-investment and debt. Addiionally, the report includes summary comments concerning key developments in the quarter.

This quarterly report can be found at 'www.fitchratings.com' under the following headers:

Sectors >> Corporate Finance >> Corporates >> Special Reports

Additional information is available at 'www.fitchratings.com'.

Applicable Criteria and Related Research: U.S. Communications Industry Leaders Competitive Scorecard -- Fourth-Quarter 2011

http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=675794

ALL FITCH CREDIT RATINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS. PLEASE READ THESE LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK: HTTP://FITCHRATINGS.COM/UNDERSTANDINGCREDITRATINGS. IN ADDITION, RATING DEFINITIONS AND THE TERMS OF USE OF SUCH RATINGS ARE AVAILABLE ON (News - Alert) THE AGENCY'S PUBLIC WEBSITE 'WWW.FITCHRATINGS.COM'. PUBLISHED RATINGS, CRITERIA AND METHODOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS SITE AT ALL TIMES. FITCH'S CODE OF CONDUCT, CONFIDENTIALITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, AFFILIATE FIREWALL, COMPLIANCE AND OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE 'CODE OF CONDUCT' SECTION OF THIS SITE.

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