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In a development with implications for mobile commerce in the U.S., the number of wireless subscribers has for the first time exceeded the number of landline connections in this country. According to a report compiled by the Federal Communications Commission, there were 181.1 mobile subscriptions in place on Dec. 31, 2004. By contrast, the number of switched-access (landline) connections had reached 178 million. The report says mobile subscriptions increased 8% in the second half of the year and fully 15% for all of 2004. The FCC gathered the data as part of a semi-annual process in which telecommunications carriers are required to report to the regulator the number of lines in service as well as the number of mobile subscribers they serve. Carriers with at least 10,000 switched-access lines or 10,000 mobile subscribers are required to file the report. The number of U.S. wireless subscribers is currently 192.2 million, according to CTIA-The Wireless Association, a Washington, D.C. trade group, representing a further 6% growth since the end of last year.
