PICKERING, Ontario-Clearnet Communications Inc. said it ended 1997 with more than 150,000 subscribers, including about 95,000 on the digital Mike and Clearnet PCS networks.
The company also reported a record-breaking fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, adding 65,575 subscribers to the Mike enhanced specialized mobile radio and Clearnet PCS personal communications services networks.
Clearnet PCS launched in certain Canadian metropolitan areas Oct. 15, and its 50,676 new subscribers represent only 75 days of results during the fourth quarter.
“Not only were Clearnet PCS subscriber results a North American launch record despite selling for less than a full quarter, but also this tremendous success was achieved despite difficulties in obtaining sufficient handset quantities to satisfy market demand, which greatly exceeded expectations,” George Cope, Clearnet’s president and chief executive officer said.
Net new subscribers on the Mike network totaled 14,899 in the fourth quarter, bringing Mike’s subscriber base to 44,549.
The subscriber base on Clearnet’s analog SMR network declined by 2,983, reducing total analog SMR subscribers to 56,687. However, 1,985 subscribers migrated from analog to the Mike network during the fourth quarter, according to the company.
