With Americans cutting the cord to their land lines, 2007 is likely to be the first calendar year in which U.S. households spend more on cell phone services, industry and government officials say. The most recent government data show that households spent $524, on average, on cell phone bills in 2006, compared with $542 for residential and pay-phone services.
By now, though, consumers almost certainly spend more on their cell phone bills, several telecom industry analysts and officials said. "What we're finding is there's a huge move of people giving up their land line service altogether and using cell phones exclusively," said Allyn Hall, consumer research director for market research firm In-Stat. As recently as 2001, U.S. households spent three times as much on residential phone services as they did on cell phones.
By now, though, consumers almost certainly spend more on their cell phone bills, several telecom industry analysts and officials said. "What we're finding is there's a huge move of people giving up their land line service altogether and using cell phones exclusively," said Allyn Hall, consumer research director for market research firm In-Stat. As recently as 2001, U.S. households spent three times as much on residential phone services as they did on cell phones.
But the expansion of wireless networks has made cell phones more convenient, and a wider menu of services, including text messaging, video and music, has made it easier for consumers to spend money via their cell phone. "Frankly, I'd be shocked if (households) don't spend more on cell phones at this point," said Andrew Arthur, vice president of market solutions at Mediamark Research & Intelligence. To be sure, when corporate cell-phone use is counted, overall U.S. spending surpassed land line spending several years ago, analysts said. While there are roughly 170 million land lines in use nationwide, industry officials estimate there are close to 250 million cell phones. (These figures include residential and corporate use.)
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Ron Paul 2008!
/Dr. RP 08 FTW!
Haven't even had a chance to check out all the candidates yet, but I already want to beat Ron and his cult with a friggin' bat! Sheesh. How about YOU people wake up and learn how to properly direct a message. I'll tell you one thing, it's not by ANNOYING people.
I could easily see people cell bills being much more than thier home phone bill, even using it much less.
WAIT!
Maybe I just don't understand exactly how math works. But... .how is $524 > $542, exactly?
By now, though, consumers almost certainly spend more on their cell phone bills, several telecom industry analysts and officials said.
Your maths is fine, it's your English you want to be worried about
There's no reason whatsoever why I should need to be contacted unless I'm at home or at the office and if I must make a call, I know I will always be able to via my friends cell phone or a pay phone.
I worked for a major cell phone company for the US for over 3 years - that was enough to steer me away from using one.
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