U.S. Cellular today announced third-quarter results that showed a loss of $22.2 million on $1.04 billion in revenue. Revenue was up 7 percent from the same quarter last year.  

While the company wasn’t making money during the quarter, it did manage to attract 52,000 net postpaid customers, which was a big improvement from the 26,000 high-value postpaid customers it lost in the second quarter. 

Roughly 58 percent of U.S. Cellular customers were using smartphones at the end of the quarter and average revenue per account (ARPU) was pegged at $56.37, which was down from the $56.82 ARPU the company reported in the previous quarter.  

Kenneth Meyers, U.S. Cellular president and CEO, said his company’s top focus for the quarter was to grow its customer base, adding that new device and data pricing and promotions were resonating with new and existing customers. 

“As we move into the holiday sales season, I’m confident that we will continue to attract wireless consumers,” Meyers said. 

Shares of U.S. Cellular were up 1 percent in early trading Friday to $36.32.