Wireless IT: U.S. wireless industry continues to experience record-setting growth

Santa Clara, CA - Tom Wheeler, President and CEO of the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA)) said, "From love affair to marriage, Americans can't seem to live without the security and convenience a wireless phone has to offer."

Wireless service subscribers are using their devices an average of 228 minutes each month, compared to 174 minutes for calls a year ago, an increase of 31%, according to CTIA's wireless semi-annual wireless data survey. At the same time, the average local monthly bill increased from $40.24 to $45.15—just 12.2%.

CTIA president and CEO Tom Wheeler said he was not surprised by the results because "Americans are infatuated by the devices. Wireless phones enable us to not only keep in touch with our loved ones but also connect with our business networks - anytime, anywhere." He said wireless not only allows for peace of mind but also greater efficiency.

Other results from the survey:

• The number of subscribers using digital service increased dramatically, to 52.9 million, or 60% of all reported wireless subscribers. This is an increase of more than 89.6% from the previous year, when just 27.9 million digital subscribers were reported.

• Overall wireless subscribership surged to more than 97 million customers for the first half of 2000. Nationwide, more than 37.8% of the population now has active wireless service. Someone new signs up for wireless service approximately every 1.5 seconds.

• More than 104,103,418 Americans have wireless service.

• More than 20.8 million net new subscribers were added between June 1999 and June 2000—60,379 new subscribers every day.

• Total service revenues increased to $24.7 billion for the first six-months of the year, up 27.3% over total service revenues of $19.4 billion for the first six-months of 1999. For the twelve months, June 1999 to June 2000, the industry's service revenues totaled $45.29 billion, exclusive of toll revenues.

• Wireless carriers directly employ 159,645 people in the United States, and the industry is indirectly responsible for more than one million jobs.

• The survey found that prepaid subscribers generated $635.5 million in revenues for the first six-months of 2000, a 10.5% increase from the year-end 1999 figure of $574.9 million.

CTIA's semi-annual wireless industry survey has been conducted since January 1985 and includes all commercial wireless service providers.

Edited by Ellen Jensen
Managing Editor, Wireless Networks Online