Urgent announcement from T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T: they catch their breath despite everything that's happened

During the first months of the year Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T haven't had it easy. The decision to raise prices on many of their plans wasn't well received by users.

As a result, they lost thousands of customers who decided to switch to more affordable options like mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) or cable companies. Either of them usually offer more competitive rates.

However, despite the rough start, the three major carriers have found unexpected relief: the prepaid market. According to recent reports, this category has started to grow again after more than a year of stagnation. Apparently, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are the main beneficiaries.

Unpopular Decisions Take Their Toll

During the first quarter of 2025, the price increases caused frustration among customers, especially among users who are more sensitive to monthly expenses. This led to an exodus toward more affordable options. The data show that the three major companies have felt the impact of those decisions, losing ground in the postpaid segment.

Despite this complicated scenario, the prepaid segment has started to show positive signs. For those who want to better control their expenses, this type of plan is ideal. Unlike postpaid, where payment is made at the end of the cycle, prepaid requires paying for services in advance, which prevents surprises on the bill.

This resurgence of prepaid has been key to easing the pressure on Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T. In fact, the three together added 47,000 new prepaid customers in the first quarter of 2025. This is a more than positive figure compared to the same period last year, when together they lost 348,000 users in this segment.

Of the three, Verizon has stood out the most, gaining 137,000 prepaid customers in just three months. This growth is largely attributed to the acquisition of TracFone in 2021, a strategic move that's now starting to pay off. Thanks to that purchase, Verizon positioned itself as the largest prepaid carrier in the country, with a 33% share of that market.

T-Mobile and AT&T Also Improve

Both T-Mobile and AT&T also showed positive, though more moderate, numbers. Both managed to add customers in this segment, showing that interest in prepaid is rising among American consumers.

The mobile market in the United States exceeded forecasts in the first quarter. According to analysts from New Street, the sector is expected to add 1.6 million new customers this year. Although there were fears of a slowdown due to changes in immigration policies, these fears haven't materialized, at least for now.