US telecoms operator AT&T reported a 30 percent annual rise in second-quarter profit today as growth in its mobile unit continued to compensate for customer losses in its fixed-line business. Net income at the Dallas-based company rose to US$3.77 billion from US$2.9 billion a year earlier, while sales climbed 4.7 percent to $30.9 billion. Investors and analysts were broadly positive of the results, which seemed to defy earlier fears that the operator would be affected by the economic slowdown.

AT&T Wireless, the country’s largest mobile operator, added 1.33 million customers in the quarter, down 123,000 from the year-earlier period but up 38,000 compared to the previous quarter, growing its total subscriber base to 72.9 million. US sales of iPhone 3G – where AT&T is the exclusive distributor – were not included in the quarterly results (as it did not go on sale until July 11) and the operator reported reduced second-quarter iPhone sales as customers waited for the new model. This allowed second-placed Verizon Wireless to close the gap slightly on AT&T. Yesterday, Verizon Wireless reported net customer additions of 1.5 million for the quarter, bringing its total to 68.7 million. Verizon announces its full quarterly results on July 28.