AT&T, new customers lower than expected due to problems with the iPhone5. Good profits at 3,64 billion

The iphone5 slows down the growth of AT&T customers, the second largest US operator of mobile telephony services. Problems in the supply and availability of Apple's new smartphone, which went on sale in the last week of the quarter, limited the growth of new customers in the quarter in question, which was lower than expected. Wireless division contract subscribers increased by 151 in the third quarter, the most modest increase in the period since at least 2003.
Revenues, 31,46 billion dollars, were also slightly below expectations (at 31,59 billion) but substantially in line with the result of a year ago (31,48 billion). Profits, on the other hand, did better than expected, recording 3,64 billion dollars against 3,62 billion a year ago but corresponding to 63 cents per share against the 60 expected by Wall Street.
The group reported record free cash flow of $6,5 billion in the third quarter and raised full-year estimates by $2 billion to $18 billion, believing less new customer growth will allow the company to keep costs under control.