Consumer Cellular is a postpaid mobile virtual network operator founded by John Marick and Greg Pryor in October 1995. Based in Tigard, Oregon, near Portland, the company pioneered the no contract plan model, with a key focus of their marketing being retirees. In September 2008, the company began working with AARP, helping grow the Consumer Cellular's subscriber base from around 30,000 customers in 2006 to more than one million in 2013.
The company received the top customer satisfaction ranking from Consumer Reports in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. The company has also been named one of Oregon's fastest-growing companies, listed on the Inc. 5000 growth list since 2009, and ranked in the Portland Business Journal?? '?s Top 100 Oregon Companies list every year since 2010. The company operates using network capacity from AT&T and T-Mobile, and also resells AT&T wholesale wireless services to other virtual operators as well.
History
With most cell phone carriers gearing their services toward high-use business clients, John Marick and Greg Pryor founded Consumer Cellular in 1995 with the goal of providing affordable, no-contract cell phone plans to casual mobile users of all ages. The company started out with an emphasis on the Pacific Northwest market, reselling service from AT&T. After AT&T's merger with Cingular, Consumer Cellular re-negotiated its contract with AT&T to allow national coverage through its network.
In 2008, Consumer Cellular became a preferred provider for AARP members, making the company the first cell phone provider to market to retirees. As result of this partnership, more than 85% of Consumer Cellular's current customers are older than 50. The plans are relatively simple compared to other carriers, and have been advocated by such senior publications as the Senior Journal.
In June 2010 Consumer Cellular's continued growth led to an expansion and official opening of the company's second U.S.-based customer support center in Phoenix, Arizona. In August 2012 Consumer Cellular opened a third U.S.-based customer support center in Redmond, Oregon. The company currently employs nearly 1,000 personnel between its Tigard, Redmond, and Phoenix locations.
During the summer of 2011, Consumer Cellular announced a partnership with national retailer, Sears. Under the current agreement, four different types of Consumer Cellular phones are sold in 750 Sears stores nationwide. In January 2012, it was reported that Consumer Cellular's revenue grew from $17 million to $185 million in six years by selling the newest technology to older American consumers.
In April 2012, the company announced the launch of SIM cards to their product line to be used with phones which use the company's service plans including Apple's iPhone. Consumer Cellular celebrated the company's millionth customer in February 2013 by giving back a million dollars; 100,000 to five non-profit partners and the rest to their employees. In July 2013, the company introduced a smartphone financing program called EasyPay that is available to consumers purchasing smartphones that cost $300 and up.
The company partnered with SquareTrade in August 2013 to provide its customers with cellphone protection plans. Consumer Cellular began a trial run of selling in select Target Stores in March 2014, which expanded to all stores in October 2014.
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Products
Consumer Cellular's device lineup ranges from basic phones aimed towards seniors, from Motorola and Doro (of which the provider is the exclusive U.S. carrier), to Android smartphones from Motorola, LG, Samsung and Huawei. On December 13, 2013, Consumer Cellular started offering Apple's iPhone 4S, 5C, and 5S.
Marketing
Consumer Cellular's marketing focus is directed at reaching consumers aged 50 and older, demonstrated by the company's standing as a preferred wireless provider for AARP members in which it offers discounted rates and accessories for the organization's members. Consumer Cellular has also established relationships with national retailers such as Sears, Target and RadioShack in order to provide broader access to its devices and cell phone plans. In 2013 Consumer Cellular began a television and online ad campaign depicting a retired couple on vacation portrayed by Tim Van Pelt and Jane Bement Geesman.
Awards
In 2014, Consumer Cellular received the highest overall satisfaction rating in the mobile carrier category of PC Magazine's 27th annual Readers' Choice Awards survey, earning the top designation of Readers' Choice in the category. Survey findings also highlight that Consumer Cellular customers are more likely to recommend the carrier than customers from any other mobile carrier in the United States.
In the 2010 Consumer Reports no-contract cell phone service rating, 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.
In 2011, Consumer Reports rated Consumer Cellular higher than any other cell phone service provider with a score of 87 out of 100 in their annual satisfaction survey. Consumer Reports also recognized Consumer Cellular as the best choice for basic phones and service.
In 2012 and 2013 Consumer Cellular again received the top customer satisfaction ranking from Consumer Reports.
The Portland Business Journal ranked Consumer Cellular as the 62nd Fastest Growing Company in Oregon in 2013, the company's fourth consecutive year on the list.
In December 2012, Consumer Cellular was named to Inc. Magazine's inaugural Hire Power Awards recognizing private businesses that are adding jobs in the U.S. and rebuilding the economy.
Since September 2012, Consumer Cellular has been named to Oregon Business' "100 Best Companies to Work for in Oregon", CareerBuilder's "Top Companies to Work For in Arizona", and The Oregonian's "Top Workplaces".
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