The U.S. wireless market consists of voice and data services, handsets, wireless communications, Wi-Fi® and WiMAX™ equipment, and professional services in support of the wireless infrastructure. In 2008, revenue totaled $210 billion, up 8.4 percent from 2007. For the first time, wireless service revenue growth dropped to single-digits. Wireless devices, which recorded double-digit increases during each of the previous six years, rose only 5.0 percent in 2008. Wireless equipment increased 1.4 percent, and services in support of the wireless infrastructure expanded 7.3 percent.

Source: 2009 ICT Market Review & Forecast

Sales of wireless and mobile subscriptions are slowing. But don’t blame the economy — blame success, which will fuel this industry well past 2012. In 2008, the wireless subscription rate in the U.S. reached 87 percent, and it is fast approaching 100 percent. All those handsets mean that traditional voice-driven devices and services are maxing out their client base. But data, not voice, is now king, as surging sales of smart phones shows.

Between 2006 and 2008, the sale of data-related services and components has jumped nearly three-fold from $12 billion (with a “b”) to $33 billion. And that number isn't likely to slow much, as these devices are not just toys to be enjoyed, they're increasingly key to functioning effectively in our increasingly interconnected world.

Prepaid cellular service is a growing segment of the wireless industry, with more
than 40 million subscribers in 2008, comprising 17 percent of all wireless subscribers.
Prepaid wireless is popular because it requires no long-term contract, no
activation or termination fees, and no credit check. Carriers are making prepaid
plans more attractive by enhancing service, lowering price and adding phones...

Want to know more? Preview this section of the report.

• TIA 2009 ICT Market Review & Forecast:
  Prepaid cellular preview (64kb, pdf)

• Section I: Mobile and Wireless Communications
  • Wireless Spectrum
  • Wireless Communications Services
  • Wireless Devices
  • Equipment and Infrastructure Spending
  • The Total Wireless Market
  • Commercial Mobile Alert Service
• Section II: Wireless Communications
  • Competition
  • US Wireless Revenue
  • Text Messaging
  • The US Handset Market
  • Mobile Virtual Network Operators
  • Prepaid Wireless
  • Femtocells
  • Spectrum Issues
  • First Responders
  • Enhanced 911 Implementation
  • Wireless Technology Evolution
  • WiMAX
• Section III: Wireless LANS
  • Home Market
  • Business market
  • Public Market
  • Municipal Deployment
  • Voice over WLAN
  • Standards
• The Mobile Satellite Market
  • Geostationary Operators
  • Low Earth Orbit Operators
  • The Outlook for MSS
  • Technology

The Mobile Satellite market looks to surge over the next three years, due mainly to the increased growth in terminals that are increasing the phones's reach and reliability, and lowering the costs.