Consumer Cellular

Consumer Cellular

Type	Private
Industry	Cellular phone plans
Founded	1995
Headquarters	Portland, Oregon, USA
Website	Consumer Cellular

Consumer Cellular is a Portland, Oregon based Mobile Virtual Network Operator, founded by John Marick and Greg Pryor in October 1995. The company started out with an emphasis on the Pacific Northwest market, but when AT&T and Cingular merged in 2005, Marick renegotiated Consumer Cellular's contract with AT&T to obtain a national footprint. They now use AT&T's network, and coverage includes all 50 US states.

Consumer Cellular specializes in cell phone plans for seniors.^[1] The company was most recently profiled in The Oregonian's Silicon Forest blog as #15 on a list of the largest 25 tech companies in northwest Oregon.^[2] They are also an Inc 5000 company.^[3]

In June, 2010, Consumer Cellular began offering a QWERTY keyboard phone, which John Marick described as being simple and easy to use, and therefore appropriate for the "mature market" customers.^[4] Previously, Consumer Cellular also brought Doro phones, a cellular phone designed for seniors,^[5] into its network.^[6] The New York Times Gadgetwise blog mentioned Consumer Cellular's Doro phone as a good option for seniors on November 3, 2009.^[7]

History

In 2005, Consumer Cellular began a relationship with the AARP,^[8] making the company the first cell phone provider to market to retirees. The partnership became exclusive in 2008. As result of this partnership, more than 85% of Consumer Cellular's current customers are older than 50.^[9] The plans are relatively simplistic compared to other carriers, and have been advocated by such senior publications as the Senior Journal.^[10]

During the 2008 to 2009 recession period, Consumer Cellular has remained profitable, and has continued hiring.^[11]

In the Consumer Reports no-contract cell phone service rating (Winter 2010), Consumer Cellular's overall score was 87 out of 100. This was the top spot in a summary of six competing companies surveyed, in the "no-contract cell service" category.

References

1. ^ Telephony Online: Consumer Cellular targets the mobile mature
2. ^ The Silicon Forest 25, August 24th, 2009
3. ^ Inc 5000 profile for Consumer Cellular
4. ^ Consumer Cellular Introduces Its First Full QWERTY Keyboard Cell Phone
5. ^ PCMag - Doro Continues U.S. Roll-out, Offering Phones for Active Seniors & Baby Boomers
6. ^ Reuters - Super-Simple Swedish Cell Phones Hit U.S.
7. ^ More Tech for Seniors
8. ^ News: Small Portland Cellular Provider Teams Up with AARP
9. ^ USA Today: If you're 50 or over...
10. ^ Senior Citizens Can Find Special Cell Phone Plans and Discounts
11. ^ Oregon Live: Looking forward on a sunny afternoon...

External links

• Consumer Cellular
• Doro Phones