NEW YORK-The North American wireless industry is expected to surpass 240 million subscribers by 2009, though year-over-year growth is forecast to slow as customer penetration levels are predicted to approach more than 78 percent during the next four years, according to industry research firm eMarketer.
“That doesn’t mean the end of growth,” said Noah Elkin, senior analyst at eMarketer and author of the report: “North America Wireless Trends.” “Communications may start with voice, but operators are readying for the day when it is but one of many formats that consumers use.”
The firm noted that while overall growth will slow, carriers are finding different ways to reach underserved market segments, including mobile virtual network operators and more diverse offerings.
“Consumer choices about wireless phones and services are becoming lifestyle decisions, and certainly the personalization choices are vast,” Elkin added. “Operators are aiming for something more than being part of a passing trend, however. They are building networks and developing applications that will make their services an inseparable part of life.”
