Semi-Annual Wireless Industry Report Released

CTIA-The Wireless Association announced today the findings of its semi-annual industry survey, which includes numerous metrics on the industry’s continued positive growth and popularity. In particular, wireless data service revenues showed impressive year-to-year gains, climbing to more than $19.4 billion for the first half of 2009. This represents a 31% increase over the first half of 2008. In addition, wireless data revenues were more than 25% of all wireless service revenues, and represent what consumers spend on non-voice services. The survey also found that more than 246 million data-capable devices are in the hands of consumers today. More than 40 million of these devices are Smartphones or wireless-enabled PDAs and more than 10 million are wireless-enabled laptops, notebooks or aircards.

“Once again, the new survey results indicate that mobile broadband is an integral part of everyday life for many Americans,” said Steve Largent, President and CEO of CTIA -The Wireless Association. “The wireless ecosystem–infrastructure suppliers, service providers, device manufacturers, operating system providers, and applications developers–are simultaneously working together and competing against one another to generate valuable and unparalleled products and services for consumers. The survey proves that more people are quickly embracing these advancements and integrating them into their daily lives.”

According to the survey, text messaging continues to be enormously popular, with more than 740 billion text messages carried on carriers’ networks during the first half of 2009–breaking down to 4.1 billion messages per day. That’s nearly double the number from last year, when only 385 billion text messages were reported for the first half of 2008. Wireless subscribers are also sending more pictures and other multi-media messages with their mobile devices–more than 10.3 billion MMS messages were reported for the first half of 2009, up from 4.7 billion in mid-year 2008.

As of June 2009, the industry survey recorded more than 276 million wireless users. This represents a year-over-year increase of nearly 14 million subscribers.

Other highlights of the survey include wireless customers using more than 1.1 trillion minutes in the first half of 2009–breaking down to 6.4 billion minutes-of-use per day–and six-month wireless service revenues of nearly $76 billion.

See more of the report (pdf)

CTIA is the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry, representing carriers, manufacturers and wireless Internet providers.