On the Light Reading site today:
Trump Mobile won’t need a ton of subs to become profitable – Entner
Trump Mobile might need a mere 200,000 to 300,000 subs to become profitable, reckons Recon Analytics’ Roger Entner. Meanwhile, experts are skeptical that Trump Mobile can produce a US-made smartphone anytime soon.
By Jeff Baumgartner, Senior Editor, Light Reading - June 18, 2025
https://www.lightreading.com/wireless/trump-mobile-won-t-need-a-ton-of-subs-to-become-profitable-entner
With a flagship price of $47.45 per month, the new Trump Mobile service is not a bargain compared to relatively inexpensive mobile offerings from cable operators and EchoStar’s Boost Mobile. But the new Trump-branded mobile entrant likely won’t need to rake in a ton of subs to turn a profit, if it can keep costs under control, reckons a top industry analyst. Trump Mobile could probably reach profitability once it gathers 200,000 to 300,000 subscribers, estimates Recon Analytics founder and analyst Roger Entner.
“The key is keeping advertising under control, which also keeps your growth under control,” Entner tells Light Reading.
Noting that it costs about $2 million to build a retail store, he also believes this means Trump Mobile will sell services almost exclusively online.
Trump Mobile flagship pricing ‘not compelling’
Trump Mobile’s initial pricing doesn’t blow the doors off the competition. In a research note, New Street Research analyst Jonathan Chaplin said Trump Mobile’s flagship offering “is not compelling.”
While its pricing is better than the single-line offers from T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon, Trump Mobile is undercut by single-line mobile offerings from Charter Communications ($30), Comcast ($40) and Altice USA ($25 for a 12-month promotional period, rising to $35 starting in month 13). The same goes for Visible by Verizon ($20), Boost ($25) and Mint Mobile ($20). The price gulf widens more significantly when multi-line plans are factored in.
“Customers won’t flock to Trump Mobile for price or for features; however, the service may attract a portion of Trump’s most loyal followers,” Chaplin explained. However, he believes that the direct impact on the nation’s mobile carriers “will be negligible.” ….