The mobile data gains helped AT&T post net income of $3.8 billion for the quarter, up from 2.9 billion a year ago, or 63 cents a share compared to 47 cents a share, and a 4.7% rise in revenue to $30.9 billion.
AT&T also said 18% of its contract customers had "integrated devices" or smartphones, up from 8% last year. The average revenue per user (ARPU) for these users is roughly double the company average. With the July 11 launch of the iPhone 3G, for which AT&T is the exclusive wireless provider, the company expects to continue making strong gains in mobile data growth.
Combined voice and data plans for the iPhone 3G start at $70, $10 more than the cheapest plan for the original iPhone. Sales of the iPhone 3G in the first 12 days after release, however, doubled those of the original launched a year ago, said AT&T.--Mark Walsh