US Carrier and Cable Q1 2025 Results: The Battle for the Household Intensifies
The rivalry between Tier 1 carriers and cable operators isn’t new, but in Q1 2025, it escalated.
The battle for the connected household has officially become the industry’s defining strategy — and the front lines are shifting fast.
Why is this happening now? Wireless growth is slowing. In a saturated U.S. wireless market, every subscriber gain now comes at a rival’s expense.
All Tier 1 carriers reported lower postpaid phone net adds year over year in Q1:
- AT&T: up 324,000 (lower than their 349,000 adds in Q1 2024)
- T-Mobile: up 495,000 (lower than their 532,000 adds in Q1 2024)
- Verizon: down 289,000 (greater than their 114,000 loss in Q1 2024)
On the flip side, cablecos are now competing at scale in the wireless space. Spectrum and Xfinity are no longer fringe players, and Optimum is seeing marked growth.
- Spectrum added 514,000 subscribers
- Xfinity added 323,000 subscribers
- Optimum Mobile posted 45% YoY growth, albeit off a smaller base.
In the graph below, we can see how cable operators’ wireless subs have grown, and how these compare with the numbers and growth of the Tier 1 carriers. It’s clear that, while the total numbers of subscribers are much smaller among the cablecos, the YoY growth is much higher than the Tier 1s.
That said, the Tier 1 carriers are responding to this increased wireless competition by striking back on broadband turf.
- T-Mobile’s fixed wireless offering added 405,000 home internet subscribers in Q1 (up 32% YoY)
- AT&T added 261,000 new fiber customers, making clear moves into traditional cable strongholds.
The stakes have changed. This is no longer just about wireless plans or home internet. It’s about owning the entire household — delivering bundled, seamless experiences that deepen loyalty and drive recurring revenue.
What this means for telecom retailers and technology partners
Q1 2025 results make one thing clear: the battle for the connected household only intensifies. Wireless and broadband providers are focused on acquiring customers and becoming the single provider for all their connectivity needs. As the market shifts, retailers and technology partners must evolve to help deliver on that vision.
Consumers increasingly expect bundled offerings that combine mobile, home internet, and connected devices — all through a single, frictionless experience. Retailers who enable that will earn greater customer loyalty and long-term value.
Technology partners such as iQmetrix Interconnected Commerce solutions can:
- Simplify the sale of bundled services through unified retail platforms, creating a frictionless customer experience that drives loyalty.
- Help retailers grow customer lifetime value by driving higher attach rates for accessories, services, and home internet solutions.
Learn more about iQmetrix Interconnected Commerce solutions and how they can help you meet the needs of today’s wireless customers.
