MetroPCS (NYSE:PCS), Leap Wireless (Nasdaq:LEAP) Down on Lower Subscription Signups

MetroPCS Communications (NYSE:PCS) and Leap Wireless (Nasdaq:LEAP) both gained new subscribers in the fourth quarter, but fell short of expectations, with MetroPCS adding 298,000 new customers and Leap 435,000 new customers.

MetroPCS got punished the most, as they fell below last year's total of 317,355 new subscribers for the same quarter.

Both companies are competing for two types of customers, those who want simple flat-rate service plans like that offered by MetroPCS, and for those who want more sophistication in their phones and are willing to pay for it; things like downloading data and smartphones.

Leap Wireless International closed Thursday at $13.96, falling $0.37, or 2.58 percent. MetroPCS closed at $13.30, dropping $0.96, or 6.73 percent.