Below is very interesting data according to CTIA as of December 31, 2007.
Impressive U.S. subscriber growth!
| YEAR | SUBSCRIBERS |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 340,213 |
| 1990 | 5,283,055 |
| 1995 | 33,785,661 |
| 2000 | 109,478,031 |
| 2005 | 207,896,198 |
| 2007 | 255,395,599 |
If we assume 20% of 2007 subs have data plans (which I think it is a “realistic” number, still inflated number for the U.S.), that would put mobile phone users that use their mobile handset beyond voice (i.e. data plans, mobile web, rich-connected local applications) at around 51 million.
Source: CTIA’s Semi-Annual Wireless Industry Survey (PDF).
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