OKLAHOMA CITY, Oct. 22, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Dobson Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DCEL) reported today that its gross subscriber additions (postpaid) for the third quarter ended September 30, 2003 were approximately 49,600, compared with 55,000 gross subscriber additions for the same period last year and 40,100 in the second quarter of 2003. These totals do not include results for American Cellular Corporation, which became a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dobson on August 19, 2003.
Postpaid customer churn was 1.7 percent for the third quarter of 2003, compared with churn of 2.0 percent for the same period last year and 1.5 percent in the second quarter of 2003.
Consequently, Dobson's total net subscriber additions for the third quarter were approximately 10,200, compared with approximately 14,700 net subscribers added for the same period last year and 13,000 in the second quarter of 2003.
Including the two new Alaska properties that the Company acquired in June 2003, Dobson served a total of approximately 877,800 subscribers as of September 30 2003.
Local and preferred calling plans, primarily on two-year contracts, continued to account for a large majority of gross subscriber additions at both Dobson and American Cellular.
American Cellular's gross subscriber additions (postpaid) were approximately 43,900 for the third quarter, compared with 49,900 gross subscriber additions for the same period last year and 37,900 in the second quarter of 2003.
American's postpaid customer churn for the quarter was 2.0 percent, in line with churn for the same quarter last year and compared with 1.7 percent in the second quarter of 2003. Consequently, total net subscriber additions were approximately 4,200 for the third quarter ended September 30, 2003, compared with approximately 15,200 for the same period last year and 5,400 in the second quarter of 2003.
American served a total of approximately 701,700 subscribers as of September 30, 2003.
Both postpaid and prepaid subscribers are included in net subscriber additions. Gross subscriber additions and churn are reported on a postpaid basis only.
As announced last week, Dobson plans to report full financial results for the third quarter before the beginning of market trading on Monday, November 10, 2003.
Dobson Communications is a leading provider of wireless phone services to rural markets in the United States. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the Company owns wireless operations in 16 states. For additional information on the Company and its operations, please visit its Web site at www.dobson.net.