Exports of telecommunications equipment increased 5 percent during the first six months of this year compared to the same period in 1995, according to the Telecommunications Industry Association.
However, the trade surplus of telecom equipment sales was $2 billion for the first half of the year; the surplus is expected to continue.
Export equipment sales totaled $8 billion, an increase over last year. Cellular phone sales brought in $1 billion, and modem sales were $512 million, TIA said.
Exports of fiber optic cable increased 145 percent, to $320 million, and cordless phones were up 100 percent, to $171 million, TIA reports.
“The U.S. telecommunications market remains one of the country’s strongest industries, creating a much needed trade surplus,” said TIA President Matthew Flanigan.
“With the forces of economic globalization at work and communication infrastructures remaining a top priority for developing nations, we expect U.S. telecom manufacturers’ trade surplus to continue.”
Canada continues to be the largest export market for U.S. telecom products, with sales of $1.2 billion for the last six months, an increase of 46 percent from the previous year.
The Asian countries of Japan, Korea, China and Hong Kong accounted for nearly 30 percent of the total exports, or about $2.3 billion, TIA said.
Some developing nations with growing telecom interests, such as Vietnam, have only recently started trading with the United States.
TIA’s six-month figures show that U.S. exports to Vietnam increased 42 percent, to $5 million, over the same time last year.
About 12 percent of the telecom exports go to Japan, or about $971 million worth of equipment.
Korea reportedly imported $517 million in telecom equipment, followed by the United Kingdom with $479 million.
Mexico also is a prominent importer, generating sales of $446 million in U.S. telecom equipment.
China is next, with $415 million. About $407 million worth of equipment was exported to Hong Kong.
Israel bought about $305 million in telecom equipment, followed by Brazil with just under $300 million. About $187 million in equipment was exported to Germany.
