Data traffic on U.S. wireless networks surged 111 percent year-over-year and the number of active smartphones grew from 61.2 million to 95.8 million, a 67 percent increase over the prior year, according to the trade group CTIA. These figures are part of the CTIA's semi-annual survey, covering January to June 2011. This data was released at the start of the CTIA Enterprise & Applications conference in San Diego.
Other compelling statistics from the survey include:
- The average local monthly wireless bill, including voice and data service, dropped 1 percent to $47.23.
- The total number of SMS messages sent and received increased 16 percent to 1.138 trillion.
- The total number of MMS sent and received fell to 28.2 billion from 32.1 billion.
- The total number of data-capable devices grew 5 percent to 278.3 million.
- And the annual capital investment from CTIA's carrier members increased by 28 percent to $27.5 billion.
Interestingly, the number of wireless subscriptions in the United States now exceeds the total amount of the U.S. population, giving the country a wireless penetration rate of 103.9 percent. The CTIA said that there are now 327.6 million U.S. mobile connections compared to 315.5 million people in the country.
The subscriber figures are up from the 302.9 million connections and 96 percent penetration CTIA reported in March, and up 9 percent year-over-year. The growth rate reflects the growing use of smartphones, tablets and machine-to-machine devices with embedded wireless connections, as well as consumers who have multiple wireless devices.
For more:
- see this release
- see this Washington Post article
- see this Broadcasting & Cable article
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