The U.S. wireless providers increased their annual network investments from $25.3 billion in 2011 to $30.1 billion in 2012 (up 19 percent), according to CTIA-The Wireless Association’s semi-annual survey. CTIA represents the U.S. wireless communications industry. The investments represent approximately 25% of the world’s total wireless capital expenditures fo 2012 , even though the U.S. has only five percent of the world’s wireless users.
“The wireless industry invested billions of dollars to improve their networks and their customers’ coverage in 2012, fueling the ‘virtuous cycle’ of innovation. New devices, apps and content were developed so consumers could take advantage of the faster network speeds and capabilities. That’s why the U.S. leads the world in wireless innovation and competition,” said Steve Largent, President and CEO, CTIA. ”
Some highlights of the CTIA’s year-end 2012 annual survey of U.S. mobile operators:
- Wireless subscriber connections: 326.4 million (102 percent penetration); 2011: 315.9 million (3.3 percent increase).
- Total prepaid / pay-as-you-go subscribers: 76.4 million (23.4 percent of subscribers); 2011: 71.7 million (6.6 percent increase).
- Wireless network data traffic: 1.468 trillion megabytes; 2011: 866.8 billion (69.3 percent increase).
- Active smartphones and wireless-enabled PDAs: 152.1 million; 2011: 111.5 million (36.4 percent increase).
- Wireless-enabled tablets, laptops and modems: 22.3 million; 2011: 20.2 million (10.2 percent increase).
- Minutes of Use (MOU): 2.2999 trillion; 2011: 2.2955 trillion (4.4 billion minute increase or .2 percent).
- SMS sent and received: 2.19 trillion; 2011: 2.3 trillion (4.9 percent decrease).
- MMS sent and received: 74.5 billion; 2011: 52.8 billion (41 percent increase).