Wireless data revenues grow by 135 percent

WASHINGTON-Wireless data revenues have grown by 135 percent and voice revenues have increased 19 percent since last year, according to the semi-annual survey by the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association.

“Wireless technology continues to show robust growth, defying the downward trends in the tech and telecom sectors. Wireless data is particularly strong, as more companies introduce devices with features like text messaging and gaming capabilities,” said CTIA President Thomas Wheeler.

U.S. carriers earned $36.7 billion for the first six months of 2002; compared with $30.9 billion last year.

The data is for the first half of 2002.

Some of the results include:

• Total billable minutes of use grew by 48 percent from 197 billion to nearly 300 billion;
• Wireless subscribership grew nearly 14 percent to 134.5 million from 118.4 million with digital subscribers growing 29 percent to 87 percent (109 million) of total subscribers; and
• Capital investment grew 18.7 percent from $99.7 billion to $118 billion.
  The complete results of the CTIA survey can be purchased from CTIA. The cost is $850 for members and $1,075 for non-members and can be ordered from CTIA’s Website www.wow-com.com.