More U.S. wireless subscribers than wireline, says report

[ComicalMoodyDan]

More U.S. wireless subscribers than wireline, says report
By Jeffrey Silva
Jul 11, 2005

WASHINGTON-The cell-phone industry association said new government figures indicate for the first time there are more wireless subscribers in the United States than wireline service lines.

CTIA, citing a new Federal Communications Commission report, said that as of Dec. 31, 2004, there were 181.1 million wireless subscribers in the United States compared with a combined 178 million incumbent local exchange carrier switched access lines and competitive local exchange carrier switched access lines. The report also said there was a 15-percent increase in wireless subscribers for the 12-month period ending Dec. 31, 2004.

"This significant milestone reflects consumers' approval of a vibrant, ultra-competitive industry that lets us communicate how we want, where we want and with whom we want. Americans are on the go now more than ever, and we like the versatility, mobility and affordability unique to wireless communication," said Steve Largent, president of CTIA.

Largent said the fresh FCC data underscores the importance of having a consistent regulatory framework "that recognizes the unique qualities of wireless communication and allows wireless to keep delivering the innovative offerings consumers want and expect."

More U.S. wireless subscribers than wireline, says report

[Andy]

Like I always thought...just a matter of time. Cellphone have become so affordable, and a lot of people just can't live without them anymore. Some that don't need Fax machines at home just dump home phones alltogehter. Carriers like CricKet just add to this move from landlines to cells.

[Fire14]

To add to the OP, this article says that NC has the biggest difference in subscribers & has a link to the FCC's site on the statistics. http://www.fcc.gov/wcb/iatd/stats.html
I think the time of wireline & wireless having seperate standards as the article say's is going to change soon, but I wonder what effect that can have on us.

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Story as compiled from WirelessIQ
www.wirelessiq.info
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FCC Report: Wireless Subscribers Surpass Traditional Wired Connections

July 12, 2005 | 10:54 AM

For the first time in history, North Carolinians have more wireless phones than wire line connections. According to the FCC's newest "Local Telephone Competition" report, the number of wireless subscribers in the state rose to 5.36 million, while wire line connections declined to 4.99 million statewide, as of year-end 2004.

Nationally, the market is split 50-50 between wireless subscriptions and wireline connections. But in North Carolina, wireless has a 52-48 percent advantage.
Krista Tillman, President of BellSouth's NC Operations, said the new data confirms that intermodal competition has substantially changed the communications industry.

"Customers are clearly more interested in how a service meets their communications needs than in which technology provides the service," she said. "Only old regulatory rules continue to draw distinctions between technologies. The growth of wireless is a perfect case study for how competition flourishes when government steps out of the way and puts customers in the driver's seat."

According to the FCC's report, wireless subscribers grew at a rate of 10% in the last half of 2004, a substantial increase over the mid-single-digit range seen in previous six-month intervals.

Rob Forsyth, vice president and general manager for Cingular Wireless operations in North Carolina, attributed some of the increase to the national combination of Cingular and AT&T Wireless and to the competitive landscape which ultimately benefits consumers.

"Wireless competition is strong and the consumers are seeing the benefits," he said. "The new Cingular offers consumers an expanded nationwide mobile-to-mobile calling area which spans more than 50 million customers. This competitive environment, along with compelling products and services that consumers rely on both professionally and personally, is contributing to the increase in wireless subscribership."

Wireless competition is only one area in which the industry is changing, Tillman said. High-speed broadband connections is another rapidly growing market segment, with some customers using cable modem connections, not reflected in the FCC report, for IP telephony.

"Our telecommunications laws need to reflect that this country has one communications industry, not separate telephone, cable and wireless phone industries," she said. "North Carolina legislators and regulators have taken steps in that direction. Congress and the FCC should follow their lead in updating laws to encourage investment and head-to-head competition by all companies in the overall communications market."

The FCC's reports on local competition and broadband deployment may be viewed online at http://www.fcc.gov/wcb/iatd/comp.html