WASHINGTON-Despite the increasing use of wireless services worldwide, companies offering wireless services have seen their monthly recurring revenues drop by 13 percent during the past year, according to a report from TeleGeography Research.
The report found that global wireless average revenue per user fell from $24 during the second quarter of 2004 to $21.30 this year. Eastern Europe witnessed the largest year-over-year drop with monthly ARPU falling 27 percent from $16.70 in 2004 to $13.10 this year.
The United States, Canada and Western Europe showed the least decline with monthly ARPU dropping 2 percent. For the United States and Canada ARPU diminished from $50.40 during the second quarter of 2004 to $49.60 this year, while in Western Europe ARPU fell from $38.30 in 2004 to $37.40 this year.
TeleGeography noted that while overall APRU numbers have fallen worldwide, some carriers offering more advanced services are beginning to report ARPU that is higher than the regional averages. The company singled out Hutchison 3G U.K.’s $62 in ARPU during the second quarter compared with the Western European average of $37.40, and its sister operation Hutchison 3G Australia that reported $61.80 in ARPU compared with the $18.90 average for Asia-Pacific.
“Depending on the take-up rate and price stability of 3G, global ARPU may see better days ahead,” TeleGeography added.
