| 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 no-contract cell phone plans for the mature market.[1] The company was profiled in The Oregonian's (2009) Silicon Forest blog as #15 on a list of the largest 25 tech companies in northwest Oregon.[2] They have also been an Inc 5000 company for three years in a row (2009 -2011).[3]
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In 2005, Consumer Cellular began a relationship with the AARP,[4] 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.[5] The plans are relatively simplistic compared to other carriers, and have been advocated by such senior publications as the Senior Journal.[6]
In June, 2010 Consumer Cellular's continued growth led to an expansion and official opening of its second U.S.-based customer support center in Phoenix, Arizona.[7] The company currently employs over 400 personnel between its Portland, Oregon and Phoenix, Arizona locations.
During the summer of 2011, Consumer Cellular announced a partnership with national retailer, Sears. Under the agreement, Sears will offer three Consumer Cellular mobile devices. [8]
Consumer Cellular offers a variety of products ranging from senior-friendly cell phones to full-featured Smartphones.
Consumer Cellular brought Doro phones, a cellular phone designed by the award winning Swedish company specializing in innovative and user-friendly consumer electronics for seniors,[9] into its network.[10] The New York Times Gadgetwise blog mentioned Consumer Cellular's Doro phone as a good option for seniors on November 3, 2009.[11] Consumer Cellular is the exclusive provider of Doro phones in the United States. In September, 2011, Consumer Cellular began offering an Android Smartphone, which John Marick described as being simple and easy to use, and therefore appropriate for "mature market" customers.[12]
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.
In June 2011, Portland Business Journal named Consumer Cellular the 24th Fastest Growing Company in Oregon in 2010. [13]
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. [14]
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