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Tuesday November 13, 2007
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According to the CTIA-Wireless Association, over 250 million Americans now subscribe to a cellular-phone service. That, if factored against the latest U.S. Census population clock as of Tuesday evening, places the penetration rate at 82.4 percent -- which, I assume, is its highest point ever. In ten years, that number has more than quadrupled from 55 million subscribers in 1997.
The CTIA also references a Merrill Lynch Global Wireless Matrix 2Q07 report, which points out that Americans use more minutes for less cost than any other consumers in the developed world -- helped in part by the choice of at least four service providers, where 98 percent of Americans are concerned, according to the FCC. The FCC also notes that mobile high-speed subscribership increased by about 600 percent in 2006 to nearly 22 million. Personally, I look forward to a day where I can choose from four broadband providers, period. And a world free from terms-of-service that turn "unlimited downloads" into something defined by a lawyer. And unicorns. (Thanks to Dan Costa for pointing out the census connection.)
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November 15, 2007 3:41 PM
This is hard to believe. Especially since the US Census Bureau estimates that 90 million of the 303 millon are under 14 or over 70. I wonder if the 250 million includes business and government cell phone accounts?
November 16, 2007 9:09 PM
I have to admit that doesn't really seem accurate to me either... I'm pretty sure that's only in number of subscriptions, not subscribers. A large percentage of the people I know who own cell phones have multiple phones, usually one for work and one for personal use.... and sometimes own an old model phone in addition to say.... their new iPhone.
January 19, 2008 2:38 PM
As pointed out the CTIA numbers are subscriptions not subscribers. The global ratio is 1.3 (3.3 billion subscriptions vs 2.55 billion subscribers or users).
Using the same ratio for the US that would imply a penetration of 64% not 82%.