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PrepaidNarrow moat

T-Mobile US (TMUS) — moat facet

Prepaid revenue has been near $10 billion for seven years, with ARPU down 10% in two years; it fell 6.4% in Q2 2026.

Prepaid is the part of T-Mobile that has stopped growing. Prepaid revenues were $10,497 million in 20251, 11.9% of total revenue2. The customers "generally pay for service in advance" and are served under "the T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile brands"3.

T-Mobile prepaid ARPU ($ per customer per month)37.92202336.06202434.142025T-Mobile US Form 10-K FY2025; no longer reported from 2026
Ten per cent less per customer in two years.

The line was built by acquisition. MetroPCS joined in 20134, and prepaid revenues rose from $4,945 million in 2013 to $6,986 million in 20145. Since then growth has been slow: $9,598 million in 2018, $9,543 million in 2019, $9,421 million in 20206, $9,733 million in 2021, $9,857 million in 202278, $9,767 million in 2023 and $10,399 million in 20249. The 2024 rise came from Mint Mobile, which T-Mobile bought on 1 May 2024 with 3,504,000 prepaid customers10.

Prepaid is paid per customer in advance, and the price per customer is falling. Prepaid ARPU was $37.92 in 2023, $36.06 in 2024 and $34.14 in 202511, down 10.0% in two years12. The 2025 increase of 1% came from "Higher average prepaid customers" through Mint, partly offset by "Lower prepaid ARPU"13. Churn is high by design: 2.72% a month in 202514.

T-Mobile does not report prepaid profitability. A prepaid customer pays less each month and leaves more often, and the filings do not say what that leaves after costs.

The direction is down. Prepaid revenue fell 6.4% in the June 2026 quarter to $2,473 million1516, and T-Mobile no longer reports prepaid ARPU or customers17. Some decline is deliberate, since prepaid customers who move to postpaid count as wins for T-Mobile.

The customer counts tell the same story as the revenue. Prepaid customers were 21,648 thousand at the end of 2023, 25,410 thousand at the end of 2024 and 25,943 thousand at the end of 202518, and net additions fell from 282 thousand to 258 thousand to 184 thousand19. Mint was bought for a total consideration with a fair value of $1,141 million, of which $777 million was goodwill20: T-Mobile paid mainly for a brand and its customers, not for assets.

Prepaid's verdict depends on where its customers go. If prepaid revenue falls more than 5% in 2026 while postpaid account additions also fall, the customers are leaving T-Mobile rather than upgrading within it.

Moat trajectory: Narrowing

Prepaid revenues -6.4% in Q2 2026; ARPU $37.92 to $34.14.

The number that tests this moat
Reported
Prepaid revenues, full year
$10,497M (FY2025), up 0.9% from $10,399M

The low-end line; a decline above 5% in 2026 with weaker postpaid additions would mean customers are leaving.

Source: T-Mobile US Form 10-K, FY2025 ↗
References
  1. ReportedPrepaid revenues were $10,497 million in 2025, 11.9% of total revenue.
    T-Mobile US, Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 (year ended 31 December 2025) - Item 1 business, the single Wireless segment, competition and the revenue lines with their drivers. — FY2025 · publ. 11 February 2026 · source ↗
  2. Moat Explorer calcPrepaid revenues were $10,497 million in 2025, 11.9% of total revenue.
    Moat Explorer calculation from T-Mobile US reported figures ($ millions unless stated; calendar years). Revenue lines: FY2025 shares of total revenues 88,309: postpaid 57,932 = 65.6%, prepaid 10,497 = 11.9%, wholesale and other service 2,877 = 3.3%, equipment 15,972 = 18.1%, other 1,031 = 1.2%. Postpaid share of total revenues 2018 20,862 / 43,310 = 48.2%. Service revenues = postpaid + prepaid + wholesale and other service: 2018 32,441, 2020 50,395, 2022 61,323, 2025 71,306; postpaid share of service revenues 2018 64.3%, 2020 72.0%, 2022 74.9%, 2025 57,932 / 71,306 = 81.2%; Q2 2026 15,853 / 18,983 = 83.5%. Postpaid growth 2025 57,932 / 52,340 - 1 = +10.7%; 2021-2025 (57,932 / 42,562)^(1/4) - 1 = 8.0% a year. Wholesale and other service 2,877 / 5,547 - 1 = -48.1% (2022 to 2025). Prepaid ARPU 34.14 / 37.92 - 1 = -10.0% (2023 to 2025). Equipment revenues less cost of equipment sales 15,972 - 21,277 = -5,305 (2025), 14,263 - 18,882 = -4,619 (2024), 14,138 - 18,533 = -4,395 (2023); loss over service revenues 5,305 / 71,306 = 7.4% (2025), 4,395 / 63,241 = 6.9% (2023); equipment share of revenue 2021 20,727 / 80,118 = 25.9%; cost of equipment sales growth 21,277 / 18,882 - 1 = +12.7%. Revenue growth 2025 88,309 / 81,400 - 1 = +8.5%; operating income growth 18,279 / 18,010 - 1 = +1.5%. Q2 2026 against Q2 2025: total revenues 22,791 / 21,132 - 1 = +7.9%; service revenues 18,983 / 17,438 - 1 = +8.9%; postpaid 15,853 / 14,078 - 1 = +12.6%; prepaid 2,473 / 2,643 - 1 = -6.4%; wholesale and other service 657 / 717 - 1 = -8.4%; equipment 3,524 / 3,439 - 1 = +2.5%; operating income 5,490 / 5,213 - 1 = +5.3%; net income 3,239 / 3,222 - 1 = +0.5%; Core Adjusted EBITDA 9,537 / 8,541 - 1 = +11.7%. T-Mobile postpaid revenue growth +12.6% against AT&T wireless service revenue growth +3.3%. Capital expenditure 9,955 / 13,970 - 1 = -28.7% (2022 to 2025); as a share of revenue 9,955 / 88,309 = 11.3% (2025), 13,970 / 79,571 = 17.6% (2022). Customers and accounts: low- and mid-band spectrum 394 - 357 = 37 MHz added (2021 to 2025); 2.5 GHz share 185 / 394 = 47.0%. Auction 108 cost 304 / Channel 51 purchase 3,500 = 8.7%, less than a tenth. Monthly churn times twelve: 1.58% x 12 = 19.0% a year (about a fifth), 0.86% x 12 = 10.3% (about a tenth). Postpaid accounts 34,700 / 31,502 - 1 = +10.2%; accounts acquired 1,448 (UScellular) + 633 (Metronet and other) + 85 (Lumos) = 2,166; excluding them (34,700 - 2,166) / 31,502 - 1 = +3.3%. Postpaid phone customers 85,594 - 79,013 = 6,581 added in 2025, of which 3,287 from UScellular = 49.9%, about half; organic 6,581 - 3,287 = 3,294. Postpaid account lead over Verizon 34,700 - 34,237 = 463 thousand; Verizon ARPA 168.35 / 152.91 - 1 = +10.1%, a difference of $15.44. ARPA growth 152.91 / 149.87 - 1 = +2.0% (Q2 2026); 143.85 / 139.27 - 1 = +3.3% (2024); 148.97 / 143.85 - 1 = +3.6% (2025); 2018-2025 (148.97 / 128.86)^(1/7) - 1 = 2.1% a year. Customers per employee 142,388,000 / 75,000 = 1,899. 5G broadband to target 15,000 - 8,450 = 6,550 thousand over five years = 1,310 thousand a year; other broadband 9,447 - 8,450 = 997 thousand. Capital and valuation: spectrum licences over total assets 98,032 / 219,237 = 44.7% (2025), 98,178 / 213,553 = 46.0% (30 June 2026). Spectrum step-up in the Sprint year 82,828 - 36,465 = 46,363. Sprint merger-related costs 1,915 + 3,107 + 4,969 + 1,034 = 11,025, about $11.0 billion; 2020-2022 1,915 + 3,107 + 4,969 = 9,991. Lease expense 5,197 / 5,066 - 1 = +2.6%. Net interest expense 3,774 / 3,335 - 1 = +13.2% (2023 to 2025). Employee expenses 8,553 / 7,041 - 1 = +21.5%. Bad debt expense 1,370 / 898 - 1 = +52.6%. Core Adjusted EBITDA over service revenues 29,116 / 63,241 = 46.0% (2023), 31,771 / 66,178 = 48.0% (2024), 33,924 / 71,306 = 47.6% (2025). Digital and AI target 3,000 / 33,924 = 8.8% of 2025 Core Adjusted EBITDA. Shareholder returns 2025 14,000 / Adjusted Free Cash Flow 17,995 = 77.8%; cumulative returns 54.6bn / market value 176.60bn = 30.9%; 2026 program 18.2bn / 176.60bn = 10.3%; trailing free cash flow 18.40bn / 176.60bn = 10.4%. Deutsche Telekom stake 54.3% x 176.60bn = 95.9bn. Market value 176.60 / 256.15 - 1 = -31.1% (end-2024 to October 2026). Verizon 190.79bn / AT&T 166.51bn = 1.146. Contracted revenue 2,700 + 1,200 + 938 + 2,200 = 7,038, over revenue 88,309 = 8.0%; wholesale minimums 1,200 + 938 + 2,200 = 4,338. Fiber joint venture commitments 932 + 500 + 4,600 + 700 + 2,000 = 8,732, about $8.7 billion. Further derived figures: ad-technology purchases Vistar 621 + Blis 180 = 801; lease expense over revenue 5,197 / 88,309 = 5.9%; low-band spectrum 600 MHz 43 + 700 MHz 12 + 800 MHz 14 = 69 MHz; total customers added in 2024 129,528 - 119,700 = 9,828, of which Mint 3,504 = 35.7%; SG&A 23,470 / 20,818 - 1 = +12.7%; advertising expense 3,668 / 2,515 - 1 = +45.8%; postpaid other customers 30,851 / 22,116 - 1 = +39.5%; postpaid revenues first half 2026 31,482 / 27,672 - 1 = +13.8%; net income Q1 2026 2,504 / 2,953 - 1 = -15.2%; wholesale and other service share of service revenues 6,074 / 58,369 = 10.4% (2021), 2,877 / 71,306 = 4.0% (2025); Q4 2025 total revenues less service revenues 24,334 - 18,702 = 5,632; postpaid RPO over postpaid revenues 2,700 / 57,932 = 4.7%; fiber customers acquired 755 + 97 = 852 thousand, against a 3,000-4,000 thousand target, 2,148-3,148 thousand to go; first half 2026 service revenues 37,814 / 34,363 - 1 = +10.0%, net income 5,743 / 6,175 - 1 = -7.0%, Core Adjusted EBITDA 18,777 / 16,799 - 1 = +11.8%; postpaid phone ARPU 50.37 / 49.35 - 1 = +2.1% (2025); prepaid churn over postpaid phone churn 2.72 / 0.93 = 2.9 times; Verizon total revenues 34,253 / 34,504 - 1 = -0.7%; Lumos 932,000,000 / 97,000 customers = about $9,608 (about 9,600) a customer; postpaid accounts Q3 2025 33,979 - 31,502 = 2,477; equipment revenues first half 2026 7,520 / 7,143 - 1 = +5.3%; three carriers 35 + 34 + 27 = 96%; bad debt and receivable losses 1.8% x 22,791 = about 410 (Q2 2026); prepaid customers 25,943 - 25,410 = 533, of which UScellular 349; depreciation and amortization less capital spending 13,508 - 9,955 = 3,553 (2025); employee expenses per employee 8,553,000,000 / 75,000 = about $114,000 (2025), 7,041,000,000 / 70,000 = about $101,000 (2024); deal values Ka-ena up to 1,350 + UScellular 4,400 + Metronet 4,600 = 10,350, about $10.4 billion; Metronet and other 633 + Lumos 85 = 718; net income over total revenues 2,103 / 24,334 = 8.6% (Q4 2025), 3,222 / 21,132 = 15.2% (Q2 2025); ARPA 152.91 / 148.97 - 1 = +2.6%; lease expense 5,066 / 5,398 - 1 = -6.2% (2024); total customers added 2024 129,528 - 119,700 = 9,828; UScellular merger costs net of tax first half 2026 476 + 146 = 622; return on equity 10,992 / ((59,203 + 61,741) / 2 = 60,472) = 18.2% (2025), 11,339 / ((61,741 + 64,715) / 2 = 63,228) = 17.9% (2024); wholesale and other service share of service revenues 1,981 / 32,441 = 6.1% (2018), 4,782 / 63,241 = 7.6% (2023); wholesale 1,183 + roaming and other service 798 = 1,981 (2018), 1,279 + 1,005 = 2,284 (2019), as recast in the FY2020 10-K; year-end P/E about 20.7 (2025) and 22.6 (2024); customers added 2020 to 2025 142,388 - 102,064 = 40,324 thousand, about 40 million. Trailing twelve months to June 2026: revenue 88,309 - 42,018 + 45,898 = 92,189; net income 10,992 - 6,175 + 5,743 = 10,560. Year-end market value (stockanalysis.com) over net income and total revenues: 2015 31.92bn / 733 = 43.55, / 32,467 = 0.983; 2016 47.39 / 1,460 = 32.46, / 37,490 = 1.264; 2017 52.84 / 4,536 = 11.65, / 40,604 = 1.301; 2018 53.97 / 2,888 = 18.69, / 43,310 = 1.246; 2019 67.09 / 3,468 = 19.35, / 44,998 = 1.491; 2020 167.37 / 3,064 = 54.62, / 68,397 = 2.447; 2021 144.87 / 3,024 = 47.91, / 80,118 = 1.808; 2022 174.18 / 2,590 = 67.25, / 79,571 = 2.189; 2023 185.42 / 8,317 = 22.29, / 78,558 = 2.360; 2024 256.15 / 11,339 = 22.59, / 81,400 = 3.147; 2025 227.10 / 10,992 = 20.66, / 88,309 = 2.572; October 2026 176.60 / 10,560 = 16.72, / 92,189 = 1.916 - revenue lines, growth rates and shares of revenue. — FY2015-Q2 2026 · publ. October 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in T-Mobile US Forms 10-K, 10-Q, earnings releases and the Investor Factbook, Verizon and AT&T Q2 2026 releases, and stockanalysis.com market values; each operand is stated in the source line.
  3. ReportedThe customers "generally pay for service in advance" and are served under "the T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile brands".
    T-Mobile US, Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 (year ended 31 December 2025) - acquisitions and joint ventures: UScellular, Metronet, Lumos, Ka'ena, Vistar and Blis. — FY2025 · publ. 11 February 2026 · source ↗
  4. ReportedMetroPCS joined in 2013, and prepaid revenues rose from $4,945 million in 2013 to $6,986 million in 2014.
    T-Mobile US, Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal 2013 - the 30 April 2013 MetroPCS combination, accounted for as a reverse acquisition, and Deutsche Telekom's 2001 acquisition of VoiceStream. — FY2013 · publ. February 2014 · source ↗
  5. ReportedMetroPCS joined in 2013, and prepaid revenues rose from $4,945 million in 2013 to $6,986 million in 2014.
    T-Mobile US, Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal 2015 - 2013-2015 revenue lines, net income and capital expenditure. — FY2015 · publ. February 2016 · source ↗
  6. ReportedSince then growth has been slow: $9,598 million in 2018, $9,543 million in 2019, $9,421 million in 2020, $9,733 million in 2021, $9,857 million in 2022, $9,767 million in 2023 and $10,399 million in 2024.
    T-Mobile US, Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal 2020 - the Sprint merger closed 1 April 2020 for $40.8 billion of consideration, 2018-2020 revenue lines recast, selected financial data 2016-2020 (spectrum, assets, equity, customers) and Deutsche Telekom's 43.4% ownership with 52.3% voting control. — FY2020 · publ. February 2021 · source ↗
  7. ReportedSince then growth has been slow: $9,598 million in 2018, $9,543 million in 2019, $9,421 million in 2020, $9,733 million in 2021, $9,857 million in 2022, $9,767 million in 2023 and $10,399 million in 2024.
    T-Mobile US, Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal 2022 - the 2020-2022 revenue lines with wholesale and other service revenues combined, Sprint merger costs of $4,969 million in 2022, the wireline sale to Cogent for $1, the 2021 cyberattack settlement and 2023 synergy guidance. — FY2022 · publ. February 2023 · source ↗
  8. ReportedSince then growth has been slow: $9,598 million in 2018, $9,543 million in 2019, $9,421 million in 2020, $9,733 million in 2021, $9,857 million in 2022, $9,767 million in 2023 and $10,399 million in 2024.
    T-Mobile US, Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal 2023 - the first cash dividend of $0.65 a share paid on 15 December 2023, Sprint merger-related costs, 2022 income statement and Deutsche Telekom's 50.7% ownership. — FY2023 · publ. February 2024 · source ↗
  9. ReportedSince then growth has been slow: $9,598 million in 2018, $9,543 million in 2019, $9,421 million in 2020, $9,733 million in 2021, $9,857 million in 2022, $9,767 million in 2023 and $10,399 million in 2024.
    T-Mobile US, Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 (year ended 31 December 2025) - Item 1 business, the single Wireless segment, competition and the revenue lines with their drivers. — FY2025 · publ. 11 February 2026 · source ↗
  10. ReportedThe 2024 rise came from Mint Mobile, which T-Mobile bought on 1 May 2024 with 3,504,000 prepaid customers.
    T-Mobile US, Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 (year ended 31 December 2025) - acquisitions and joint ventures: UScellular, Metronet, Lumos, Ka'ena, Vistar and Blis. — FY2025 · publ. 11 February 2026 · source ↗
  11. ReportedPrepaid ARPU was $37.92 in 2023, $36.06 in 2024 and $34.14 in 2025, down 10.0% in two years.
    T-Mobile US, Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 (year ended 31 December 2025) - MD&A performance measures: customers, net additions, churn, ARPA and ARPU, and employees. — FY2025 · publ. 11 February 2026 · source ↗
  12. Moat Explorer calcPrepaid ARPU was $37.92 in 2023, $36.06 in 2024 and $34.14 in 2025, down 10.0% in two years.
    Moat Explorer calculation from T-Mobile US reported figures ($ millions unless stated; calendar years). Revenue lines: FY2025 shares of total revenues 88,309: postpaid 57,932 = 65.6%, prepaid 10,497 = 11.9%, wholesale and other service 2,877 = 3.3%, equipment 15,972 = 18.1%, other 1,031 = 1.2%. Postpaid share of total revenues 2018 20,862 / 43,310 = 48.2%. Service revenues = postpaid + prepaid + wholesale and other service: 2018 32,441, 2020 50,395, 2022 61,323, 2025 71,306; postpaid share of service revenues 2018 64.3%, 2020 72.0%, 2022 74.9%, 2025 57,932 / 71,306 = 81.2%; Q2 2026 15,853 / 18,983 = 83.5%. Postpaid growth 2025 57,932 / 52,340 - 1 = +10.7%; 2021-2025 (57,932 / 42,562)^(1/4) - 1 = 8.0% a year. Wholesale and other service 2,877 / 5,547 - 1 = -48.1% (2022 to 2025). Prepaid ARPU 34.14 / 37.92 - 1 = -10.0% (2023 to 2025). Equipment revenues less cost of equipment sales 15,972 - 21,277 = -5,305 (2025), 14,263 - 18,882 = -4,619 (2024), 14,138 - 18,533 = -4,395 (2023); loss over service revenues 5,305 / 71,306 = 7.4% (2025), 4,395 / 63,241 = 6.9% (2023); equipment share of revenue 2021 20,727 / 80,118 = 25.9%; cost of equipment sales growth 21,277 / 18,882 - 1 = +12.7%. Revenue growth 2025 88,309 / 81,400 - 1 = +8.5%; operating income growth 18,279 / 18,010 - 1 = +1.5%. Q2 2026 against Q2 2025: total revenues 22,791 / 21,132 - 1 = +7.9%; service revenues 18,983 / 17,438 - 1 = +8.9%; postpaid 15,853 / 14,078 - 1 = +12.6%; prepaid 2,473 / 2,643 - 1 = -6.4%; wholesale and other service 657 / 717 - 1 = -8.4%; equipment 3,524 / 3,439 - 1 = +2.5%; operating income 5,490 / 5,213 - 1 = +5.3%; net income 3,239 / 3,222 - 1 = +0.5%; Core Adjusted EBITDA 9,537 / 8,541 - 1 = +11.7%. T-Mobile postpaid revenue growth +12.6% against AT&T wireless service revenue growth +3.3%. Capital expenditure 9,955 / 13,970 - 1 = -28.7% (2022 to 2025); as a share of revenue 9,955 / 88,309 = 11.3% (2025), 13,970 / 79,571 = 17.6% (2022). Customers and accounts: low- and mid-band spectrum 394 - 357 = 37 MHz added (2021 to 2025); 2.5 GHz share 185 / 394 = 47.0%. Auction 108 cost 304 / Channel 51 purchase 3,500 = 8.7%, less than a tenth. Monthly churn times twelve: 1.58% x 12 = 19.0% a year (about a fifth), 0.86% x 12 = 10.3% (about a tenth). Postpaid accounts 34,700 / 31,502 - 1 = +10.2%; accounts acquired 1,448 (UScellular) + 633 (Metronet and other) + 85 (Lumos) = 2,166; excluding them (34,700 - 2,166) / 31,502 - 1 = +3.3%. Postpaid phone customers 85,594 - 79,013 = 6,581 added in 2025, of which 3,287 from UScellular = 49.9%, about half; organic 6,581 - 3,287 = 3,294. Postpaid account lead over Verizon 34,700 - 34,237 = 463 thousand; Verizon ARPA 168.35 / 152.91 - 1 = +10.1%, a difference of $15.44. ARPA growth 152.91 / 149.87 - 1 = +2.0% (Q2 2026); 143.85 / 139.27 - 1 = +3.3% (2024); 148.97 / 143.85 - 1 = +3.6% (2025); 2018-2025 (148.97 / 128.86)^(1/7) - 1 = 2.1% a year. Customers per employee 142,388,000 / 75,000 = 1,899. 5G broadband to target 15,000 - 8,450 = 6,550 thousand over five years = 1,310 thousand a year; other broadband 9,447 - 8,450 = 997 thousand. Capital and valuation: spectrum licences over total assets 98,032 / 219,237 = 44.7% (2025), 98,178 / 213,553 = 46.0% (30 June 2026). Spectrum step-up in the Sprint year 82,828 - 36,465 = 46,363. Sprint merger-related costs 1,915 + 3,107 + 4,969 + 1,034 = 11,025, about $11.0 billion; 2020-2022 1,915 + 3,107 + 4,969 = 9,991. Lease expense 5,197 / 5,066 - 1 = +2.6%. Net interest expense 3,774 / 3,335 - 1 = +13.2% (2023 to 2025). Employee expenses 8,553 / 7,041 - 1 = +21.5%. Bad debt expense 1,370 / 898 - 1 = +52.6%. Core Adjusted EBITDA over service revenues 29,116 / 63,241 = 46.0% (2023), 31,771 / 66,178 = 48.0% (2024), 33,924 / 71,306 = 47.6% (2025). Digital and AI target 3,000 / 33,924 = 8.8% of 2025 Core Adjusted EBITDA. Shareholder returns 2025 14,000 / Adjusted Free Cash Flow 17,995 = 77.8%; cumulative returns 54.6bn / market value 176.60bn = 30.9%; 2026 program 18.2bn / 176.60bn = 10.3%; trailing free cash flow 18.40bn / 176.60bn = 10.4%. Deutsche Telekom stake 54.3% x 176.60bn = 95.9bn. Market value 176.60 / 256.15 - 1 = -31.1% (end-2024 to October 2026). Verizon 190.79bn / AT&T 166.51bn = 1.146. Contracted revenue 2,700 + 1,200 + 938 + 2,200 = 7,038, over revenue 88,309 = 8.0%; wholesale minimums 1,200 + 938 + 2,200 = 4,338. Fiber joint venture commitments 932 + 500 + 4,600 + 700 + 2,000 = 8,732, about $8.7 billion. Further derived figures: ad-technology purchases Vistar 621 + Blis 180 = 801; lease expense over revenue 5,197 / 88,309 = 5.9%; low-band spectrum 600 MHz 43 + 700 MHz 12 + 800 MHz 14 = 69 MHz; total customers added in 2024 129,528 - 119,700 = 9,828, of which Mint 3,504 = 35.7%; SG&A 23,470 / 20,818 - 1 = +12.7%; advertising expense 3,668 / 2,515 - 1 = +45.8%; postpaid other customers 30,851 / 22,116 - 1 = +39.5%; postpaid revenues first half 2026 31,482 / 27,672 - 1 = +13.8%; net income Q1 2026 2,504 / 2,953 - 1 = -15.2%; wholesale and other service share of service revenues 6,074 / 58,369 = 10.4% (2021), 2,877 / 71,306 = 4.0% (2025); Q4 2025 total revenues less service revenues 24,334 - 18,702 = 5,632; postpaid RPO over postpaid revenues 2,700 / 57,932 = 4.7%; fiber customers acquired 755 + 97 = 852 thousand, against a 3,000-4,000 thousand target, 2,148-3,148 thousand to go; first half 2026 service revenues 37,814 / 34,363 - 1 = +10.0%, net income 5,743 / 6,175 - 1 = -7.0%, Core Adjusted EBITDA 18,777 / 16,799 - 1 = +11.8%; postpaid phone ARPU 50.37 / 49.35 - 1 = +2.1% (2025); prepaid churn over postpaid phone churn 2.72 / 0.93 = 2.9 times; Verizon total revenues 34,253 / 34,504 - 1 = -0.7%; Lumos 932,000,000 / 97,000 customers = about $9,608 (about 9,600) a customer; postpaid accounts Q3 2025 33,979 - 31,502 = 2,477; equipment revenues first half 2026 7,520 / 7,143 - 1 = +5.3%; three carriers 35 + 34 + 27 = 96%; bad debt and receivable losses 1.8% x 22,791 = about 410 (Q2 2026); prepaid customers 25,943 - 25,410 = 533, of which UScellular 349; depreciation and amortization less capital spending 13,508 - 9,955 = 3,553 (2025); employee expenses per employee 8,553,000,000 / 75,000 = about $114,000 (2025), 7,041,000,000 / 70,000 = about $101,000 (2024); deal values Ka-ena up to 1,350 + UScellular 4,400 + Metronet 4,600 = 10,350, about $10.4 billion; Metronet and other 633 + Lumos 85 = 718; net income over total revenues 2,103 / 24,334 = 8.6% (Q4 2025), 3,222 / 21,132 = 15.2% (Q2 2025); ARPA 152.91 / 148.97 - 1 = +2.6%; lease expense 5,066 / 5,398 - 1 = -6.2% (2024); total customers added 2024 129,528 - 119,700 = 9,828; UScellular merger costs net of tax first half 2026 476 + 146 = 622; return on equity 10,992 / ((59,203 + 61,741) / 2 = 60,472) = 18.2% (2025), 11,339 / ((61,741 + 64,715) / 2 = 63,228) = 17.9% (2024); wholesale and other service share of service revenues 1,981 / 32,441 = 6.1% (2018), 4,782 / 63,241 = 7.6% (2023); wholesale 1,183 + roaming and other service 798 = 1,981 (2018), 1,279 + 1,005 = 2,284 (2019), as recast in the FY2020 10-K; year-end P/E about 20.7 (2025) and 22.6 (2024); customers added 2020 to 2025 142,388 - 102,064 = 40,324 thousand, about 40 million. Trailing twelve months to June 2026: revenue 88,309 - 42,018 + 45,898 = 92,189; net income 10,992 - 6,175 + 5,743 = 10,560. Year-end market value (stockanalysis.com) over net income and total revenues: 2015 31.92bn / 733 = 43.55, / 32,467 = 0.983; 2016 47.39 / 1,460 = 32.46, / 37,490 = 1.264; 2017 52.84 / 4,536 = 11.65, / 40,604 = 1.301; 2018 53.97 / 2,888 = 18.69, / 43,310 = 1.246; 2019 67.09 / 3,468 = 19.35, / 44,998 = 1.491; 2020 167.37 / 3,064 = 54.62, / 68,397 = 2.447; 2021 144.87 / 3,024 = 47.91, / 80,118 = 1.808; 2022 174.18 / 2,590 = 67.25, / 79,571 = 2.189; 2023 185.42 / 8,317 = 22.29, / 78,558 = 2.360; 2024 256.15 / 11,339 = 22.59, / 81,400 = 3.147; 2025 227.10 / 10,992 = 20.66, / 88,309 = 2.572; October 2026 176.60 / 10,560 = 16.72, / 92,189 = 1.916 - customers: spectrum depth, churn, accounts, ARPA and broadband. — FY2015-Q2 2026 · publ. October 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in T-Mobile US Forms 10-K, 10-Q, earnings releases and the Investor Factbook, Verizon and AT&T Q2 2026 releases, and stockanalysis.com market values; each operand is stated in the source line.
  13. ReportedThe 2025 increase of 1% came from "Higher average prepaid customers" through Mint, partly offset by "Lower prepaid ARPU".
    T-Mobile US, Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 (year ended 31 December 2025) - acquisitions and joint ventures: UScellular, Metronet, Lumos, Ka'ena, Vistar and Blis. — FY2025 · publ. 11 February 2026 · source ↗
  14. ReportedChurn is high by design: 2.72% a month in 2025.
    T-Mobile US, Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 (year ended 31 December 2025) - MD&A performance measures: customers, net additions, churn, ARPA and ARPU, and employees. — FY2025 · publ. 11 February 2026 · source ↗
  15. ReportedPrepaid revenue fell 6.4% in the June 2026 quarter to $2,473 million, and T-Mobile no longer reports prepaid ARPU or customers.
    T-Mobile US Investor Factbook for Q2 2026, Form 8-K exhibit 99.2 - quarterly revenue lines, postpaid accounts, churn, ARPA and its drivers, upgrade rate, bad debt, margins, balance sheet and leverage ratios - quarterly revenue lines, operating income, net income, Core Adjusted EBITDA, cash flow, bad debt and margins. — Q2 2026 · publ. 23 July 2026 · source ↗
  16. Moat Explorer calcPrepaid revenue fell 6.4% in the June 2026 quarter to $2,473 million, and T-Mobile no longer reports prepaid ARPU or customers.
    Moat Explorer calculation from T-Mobile US reported figures ($ millions unless stated; calendar years). Revenue lines: FY2025 shares of total revenues 88,309: postpaid 57,932 = 65.6%, prepaid 10,497 = 11.9%, wholesale and other service 2,877 = 3.3%, equipment 15,972 = 18.1%, other 1,031 = 1.2%. Postpaid share of total revenues 2018 20,862 / 43,310 = 48.2%. Service revenues = postpaid + prepaid + wholesale and other service: 2018 32,441, 2020 50,395, 2022 61,323, 2025 71,306; postpaid share of service revenues 2018 64.3%, 2020 72.0%, 2022 74.9%, 2025 57,932 / 71,306 = 81.2%; Q2 2026 15,853 / 18,983 = 83.5%. Postpaid growth 2025 57,932 / 52,340 - 1 = +10.7%; 2021-2025 (57,932 / 42,562)^(1/4) - 1 = 8.0% a year. Wholesale and other service 2,877 / 5,547 - 1 = -48.1% (2022 to 2025). Prepaid ARPU 34.14 / 37.92 - 1 = -10.0% (2023 to 2025). Equipment revenues less cost of equipment sales 15,972 - 21,277 = -5,305 (2025), 14,263 - 18,882 = -4,619 (2024), 14,138 - 18,533 = -4,395 (2023); loss over service revenues 5,305 / 71,306 = 7.4% (2025), 4,395 / 63,241 = 6.9% (2023); equipment share of revenue 2021 20,727 / 80,118 = 25.9%; cost of equipment sales growth 21,277 / 18,882 - 1 = +12.7%. Revenue growth 2025 88,309 / 81,400 - 1 = +8.5%; operating income growth 18,279 / 18,010 - 1 = +1.5%. Q2 2026 against Q2 2025: total revenues 22,791 / 21,132 - 1 = +7.9%; service revenues 18,983 / 17,438 - 1 = +8.9%; postpaid 15,853 / 14,078 - 1 = +12.6%; prepaid 2,473 / 2,643 - 1 = -6.4%; wholesale and other service 657 / 717 - 1 = -8.4%; equipment 3,524 / 3,439 - 1 = +2.5%; operating income 5,490 / 5,213 - 1 = +5.3%; net income 3,239 / 3,222 - 1 = +0.5%; Core Adjusted EBITDA 9,537 / 8,541 - 1 = +11.7%. T-Mobile postpaid revenue growth +12.6% against AT&T wireless service revenue growth +3.3%. Capital expenditure 9,955 / 13,970 - 1 = -28.7% (2022 to 2025); as a share of revenue 9,955 / 88,309 = 11.3% (2025), 13,970 / 79,571 = 17.6% (2022). Customers and accounts: low- and mid-band spectrum 394 - 357 = 37 MHz added (2021 to 2025); 2.5 GHz share 185 / 394 = 47.0%. Auction 108 cost 304 / Channel 51 purchase 3,500 = 8.7%, less than a tenth. Monthly churn times twelve: 1.58% x 12 = 19.0% a year (about a fifth), 0.86% x 12 = 10.3% (about a tenth). Postpaid accounts 34,700 / 31,502 - 1 = +10.2%; accounts acquired 1,448 (UScellular) + 633 (Metronet and other) + 85 (Lumos) = 2,166; excluding them (34,700 - 2,166) / 31,502 - 1 = +3.3%. Postpaid phone customers 85,594 - 79,013 = 6,581 added in 2025, of which 3,287 from UScellular = 49.9%, about half; organic 6,581 - 3,287 = 3,294. Postpaid account lead over Verizon 34,700 - 34,237 = 463 thousand; Verizon ARPA 168.35 / 152.91 - 1 = +10.1%, a difference of $15.44. ARPA growth 152.91 / 149.87 - 1 = +2.0% (Q2 2026); 143.85 / 139.27 - 1 = +3.3% (2024); 148.97 / 143.85 - 1 = +3.6% (2025); 2018-2025 (148.97 / 128.86)^(1/7) - 1 = 2.1% a year. Customers per employee 142,388,000 / 75,000 = 1,899. 5G broadband to target 15,000 - 8,450 = 6,550 thousand over five years = 1,310 thousand a year; other broadband 9,447 - 8,450 = 997 thousand. Capital and valuation: spectrum licences over total assets 98,032 / 219,237 = 44.7% (2025), 98,178 / 213,553 = 46.0% (30 June 2026). Spectrum step-up in the Sprint year 82,828 - 36,465 = 46,363. Sprint merger-related costs 1,915 + 3,107 + 4,969 + 1,034 = 11,025, about $11.0 billion; 2020-2022 1,915 + 3,107 + 4,969 = 9,991. Lease expense 5,197 / 5,066 - 1 = +2.6%. Net interest expense 3,774 / 3,335 - 1 = +13.2% (2023 to 2025). Employee expenses 8,553 / 7,041 - 1 = +21.5%. Bad debt expense 1,370 / 898 - 1 = +52.6%. Core Adjusted EBITDA over service revenues 29,116 / 63,241 = 46.0% (2023), 31,771 / 66,178 = 48.0% (2024), 33,924 / 71,306 = 47.6% (2025). Digital and AI target 3,000 / 33,924 = 8.8% of 2025 Core Adjusted EBITDA. Shareholder returns 2025 14,000 / Adjusted Free Cash Flow 17,995 = 77.8%; cumulative returns 54.6bn / market value 176.60bn = 30.9%; 2026 program 18.2bn / 176.60bn = 10.3%; trailing free cash flow 18.40bn / 176.60bn = 10.4%. Deutsche Telekom stake 54.3% x 176.60bn = 95.9bn. Market value 176.60 / 256.15 - 1 = -31.1% (end-2024 to October 2026). Verizon 190.79bn / AT&T 166.51bn = 1.146. Contracted revenue 2,700 + 1,200 + 938 + 2,200 = 7,038, over revenue 88,309 = 8.0%; wholesale minimums 1,200 + 938 + 2,200 = 4,338. Fiber joint venture commitments 932 + 500 + 4,600 + 700 + 2,000 = 8,732, about $8.7 billion. Further derived figures: ad-technology purchases Vistar 621 + Blis 180 = 801; lease expense over revenue 5,197 / 88,309 = 5.9%; low-band spectrum 600 MHz 43 + 700 MHz 12 + 800 MHz 14 = 69 MHz; total customers added in 2024 129,528 - 119,700 = 9,828, of which Mint 3,504 = 35.7%; SG&A 23,470 / 20,818 - 1 = +12.7%; advertising expense 3,668 / 2,515 - 1 = +45.8%; postpaid other customers 30,851 / 22,116 - 1 = +39.5%; postpaid revenues first half 2026 31,482 / 27,672 - 1 = +13.8%; net income Q1 2026 2,504 / 2,953 - 1 = -15.2%; wholesale and other service share of service revenues 6,074 / 58,369 = 10.4% (2021), 2,877 / 71,306 = 4.0% (2025); Q4 2025 total revenues less service revenues 24,334 - 18,702 = 5,632; postpaid RPO over postpaid revenues 2,700 / 57,932 = 4.7%; fiber customers acquired 755 + 97 = 852 thousand, against a 3,000-4,000 thousand target, 2,148-3,148 thousand to go; first half 2026 service revenues 37,814 / 34,363 - 1 = +10.0%, net income 5,743 / 6,175 - 1 = -7.0%, Core Adjusted EBITDA 18,777 / 16,799 - 1 = +11.8%; postpaid phone ARPU 50.37 / 49.35 - 1 = +2.1% (2025); prepaid churn over postpaid phone churn 2.72 / 0.93 = 2.9 times; Verizon total revenues 34,253 / 34,504 - 1 = -0.7%; Lumos 932,000,000 / 97,000 customers = about $9,608 (about 9,600) a customer; postpaid accounts Q3 2025 33,979 - 31,502 = 2,477; equipment revenues first half 2026 7,520 / 7,143 - 1 = +5.3%; three carriers 35 + 34 + 27 = 96%; bad debt and receivable losses 1.8% x 22,791 = about 410 (Q2 2026); prepaid customers 25,943 - 25,410 = 533, of which UScellular 349; depreciation and amortization less capital spending 13,508 - 9,955 = 3,553 (2025); employee expenses per employee 8,553,000,000 / 75,000 = about $114,000 (2025), 7,041,000,000 / 70,000 = about $101,000 (2024); deal values Ka-ena up to 1,350 + UScellular 4,400 + Metronet 4,600 = 10,350, about $10.4 billion; Metronet and other 633 + Lumos 85 = 718; net income over total revenues 2,103 / 24,334 = 8.6% (Q4 2025), 3,222 / 21,132 = 15.2% (Q2 2025); ARPA 152.91 / 148.97 - 1 = +2.6%; lease expense 5,066 / 5,398 - 1 = -6.2% (2024); total customers added 2024 129,528 - 119,700 = 9,828; UScellular merger costs net of tax first half 2026 476 + 146 = 622; return on equity 10,992 / ((59,203 + 61,741) / 2 = 60,472) = 18.2% (2025), 11,339 / ((61,741 + 64,715) / 2 = 63,228) = 17.9% (2024); wholesale and other service share of service revenues 1,981 / 32,441 = 6.1% (2018), 4,782 / 63,241 = 7.6% (2023); wholesale 1,183 + roaming and other service 798 = 1,981 (2018), 1,279 + 1,005 = 2,284 (2019), as recast in the FY2020 10-K; year-end P/E about 20.7 (2025) and 22.6 (2024); customers added 2020 to 2025 142,388 - 102,064 = 40,324 thousand, about 40 million. Trailing twelve months to June 2026: revenue 88,309 - 42,018 + 45,898 = 92,189; net income 10,992 - 6,175 + 5,743 = 10,560. Year-end market value (stockanalysis.com) over net income and total revenues: 2015 31.92bn / 733 = 43.55, / 32,467 = 0.983; 2016 47.39 / 1,460 = 32.46, / 37,490 = 1.264; 2017 52.84 / 4,536 = 11.65, / 40,604 = 1.301; 2018 53.97 / 2,888 = 18.69, / 43,310 = 1.246; 2019 67.09 / 3,468 = 19.35, / 44,998 = 1.491; 2020 167.37 / 3,064 = 54.62, / 68,397 = 2.447; 2021 144.87 / 3,024 = 47.91, / 80,118 = 1.808; 2022 174.18 / 2,590 = 67.25, / 79,571 = 2.189; 2023 185.42 / 8,317 = 22.29, / 78,558 = 2.360; 2024 256.15 / 11,339 = 22.59, / 81,400 = 3.147; 2025 227.10 / 10,992 = 20.66, / 88,309 = 2.572; October 2026 176.60 / 10,560 = 16.72, / 92,189 = 1.916 - customers: spectrum depth, churn, accounts, ARPA and broadband. — FY2015-Q2 2026 · publ. October 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in T-Mobile US Forms 10-K, 10-Q, earnings releases and the Investor Factbook, Verizon and AT&T Q2 2026 releases, and stockanalysis.com market values; each operand is stated in the source line.
  17. ReportedPrepaid revenue fell 6.4% in the June 2026 quarter to $2,473 million, and T-Mobile no longer reports prepaid ARPU or customers.
    T-Mobile US, Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 (year ended 31 December 2025) - MD&A performance measures: customers, net additions, churn, ARPA and ARPU, and employees. — FY2025 · publ. 11 February 2026 · source ↗
  18. ReportedPrepaid customers were 21,648 thousand at the end of 2023, 25,410 thousand at the end of 2024 and 25,943 thousand at the end of 2025, and net additions fell from 282 thousand to 258 thousand to 184 thousand.
    T-Mobile US, Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 (year ended 31 December 2025) - MD&A performance measures: customers, net additions, churn, ARPA and ARPU, and employees. — FY2025 · publ. 11 February 2026 · source ↗
  19. ReportedPrepaid customers were 21,648 thousand at the end of 2023, 25,410 thousand at the end of 2024 and 25,943 thousand at the end of 2025, and net additions fell from 282 thousand to 258 thousand to 184 thousand.
    T-Mobile US, Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 (year ended 31 December 2025) - MD&A performance measures: customers, net additions, churn, ARPA and ARPU, and employees. — FY2025 · publ. 11 February 2026 · source ↗
  20. ReportedMint was bought for a total consideration with a fair value of $1,141 million, of which $777 million was goodwill: T-Mobile paid mainly for a brand and its customers, not for assets.
    T-Mobile US, Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 (year ended 31 December 2025) - acquisitions and joint ventures: UScellular, Metronet, Lumos, Ka'ena, Vistar and Blis. — FY2025 · publ. 11 February 2026 · source ↗
Sources
Generated October 6, 2026