Based on 2Q 2013 financial results, China Mobile captured the top position for the world’s most profitable mobile carrier.
ABI Research, which tracks the 50 largest mobile carriers, reports that Verizon Wireless and AT&T came in second and third, respectively.
The fourth and fifth positions were taken by European carriers with global operations, Telefnica and Vodafone.
Remarkably the top 5 mobile carriers represent 49% of total gross profit generated by the 50 largest mobile carriers tracked by ABI Research.
While China Mobile is the most profitable mobile carrier in aggregate, quarterly gross profit per subscriber is only US$ 16.40, placing the carrier in 48th place, today’s report reads.
Verizon Wireless is 4th with $71.80 and AT&T 5th with $60.40.
“While China Mobile’s profit per subscriber is substantially lower than Verizon Wireless’ and AT&T’s, there are signs that China Mobile will continue to extend its lead over the other carriers,” estimates Marina Lu, research associate at ABI Research.
