Oct 23 (Reuters) - T-Mobile said on Thursday it

added 1 million wireless subscribers who pay a monthly bill in

the third quarter that also topped estimates and raised its

annual forecast, powered by iPhone upgrades and premium plans

that drew users from rivals.

For U.S. wireless carriers, the reported quarter is

seasonally crucial as Apple's ( AAPL ) latest iPhone models

typically trigger a spike in upgrades and new subscriptions.

T-Mobile's premium plans have helped it win a larger share

of switching customers in what analysts have described as a

"musical chairs" environment.

When customers shop for new devices, "it creates a

tremendous opportunity for us to earn switching business from

our competitors. And I think in Q3 that's exactly what you saw,"

Mike Katz, president of marketing, strategy and products,

T-Mobile, told Reuters.

The monthly bill paying wireless subscriber additions marked

T-Mobile's highest third quarter in more than a decade. Analysts

had expected 844,900 additions, according to FactSet.

The company is also drawing customers with its T-Satellite

plan, which allows users to connect in remote or rural areas

where traditional wireless service is limited.

A vast majority of users that are opting for the

direct-to-cell service are getting it through T-Mobile's

"Experience Beyond" plan which offers it at no extra cost, Katz

said.

T-Satellite, which commercially launched in July with

access limited to SMS texting, MMS, picture messaging and short

audio clips, now supports widely used apps, including WhatsApp,

Google Maps and X.

The carrier now expects to add between 7.2 million and 7.4

million total postpaid net customers in 2025, compared with its

prior projection of 6.1 million to 6.4 million additions.

Total revenue for the third quarter came in at $21.96

billion, compared with expectations for $21.92 billion,

according to data compiled by LSEG.

T-Mobile named Srini Gopalan, its chief operating officer,

as CEO effective November 1, succeeding Mike Sievert, who will

move into a newly created role as vice chairman of the company

and its board.

(Reporting by Harshita Mary Varghese in Bengaluru; Editing by

Sriraj Kalluvila)