Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News
    • Mobile

    Wireless Will Overtake Landline Service

    By
    eWEEK EDITORS
    -
    August 6, 2001
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      In the worldwide race to roll out wireless telephone service, the U.S. is the out-of-shape Sunday jogger running in the midst of an elite marathon team.

      Growth in cell phone usage in the U.S. is expected to begin to plateau in 2004, due in part to carriers reluctance to build infrastructure in underserved rural areas. But in other countries, where wireless networks still are cheaper to construct than fixed-line phone systems, where phone customers are used to paying by the minute for local and long-distance calls and new products are quickly deployed, wireless already is nipping at the heels of traditional telephone.

      According to the Personal Communications Industry Association and Telecompetition, in 2000, 57 percent of U.S. households used cell phones — paltry compared with Singapore, where about 72 percent of residents subscribe to mobile service.

      Khoong Hock Yun, assistant CEO of the infocomm development group of Singapores Infocomm Development Authority, a government-sponsored telecom overseer, said fixed-line penetration is about 49 percent. Singapores “tech-savvy, cosmopolitan” population is quick to adopt services sold by the countrys “three very cooperative mobile operators with common platforms.”

      Fees for service in the U.S. tend to be higher than in Europe and Asia. Khoong estimated that the average Singapore user spends about $22 per month, or 6 cents per minute. U.S. subscribers average about $42 per month.

      Australian carrier Telstra says mobile and landline penetration are about equal, at 60 percent, but predicts Australian mobile usage will outpace landlines this year.

      In countries such as China, mobile phone usage surpasses landline because its cheaper and easier to rely on cell phones, rather than build landline infrastructure. In the Scandinavian countries, cell phones outnumber landline phones partly because the region is home to Nokia, which offers subscribers cutting-edge technology.

      In Europe, the PCIA, the European Information Technology Observatory and the U.K.s Office of Telecommunications estimate mobile voice penetration at 93 percent for Italy, 90 percent for the U.K. and 74 percent for Germany.

      Competition is the driving force behind the high number of European wireless users. Most countries only use two platforms, with global system for mobile communication dominating. That makes it easy for subscribers to switch carriers and encourages carriers to offer cutting-edge services to lure customers.

      In France, the government is partnering with private industry to ensure that the entire country is wireless-ready by 2004. Currently, only 8 percent of French households fall outside wireless network coverage areas; the government wants 100 percent penetration in an effort to tout the nations high-tech capabilities. About 55 percent of French citizens use cell phones today.

      eWEEK EDITORS
      eWeek editors publish top thought leaders and leading experts in emerging technology across a wide variety of Enterprise B2B sectors. Our focus is providing actionable information for today’s technology decision makers.
      Get the Free Newsletter!
      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis
      This email address is invalid.
      Get the Free Newsletter!
      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis
      This email address is invalid.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Applications

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      Cloud

      IGEL CEO Jed Ayres on Edge and...

      James Maguire - June 14, 2022 0
      I spoke with Jed Ayres, CEO of IGEL, about the endpoint sector, and an open source OS for the cloud; we also spoke about...
      Read more
      IT Management

      Intuit’s Nhung Ho on AI for the...

      James Maguire - May 13, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nhung Ho, Vice President of AI at Intuit, about adoption of AI in the small and medium-sized business market, and how...
      Read more
      Applications

      Kyndryl’s Nicolas Sekkaki on Handling AI and...

      James Maguire - November 9, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nicolas Sekkaki, Group Practice Leader for Applications, Data and AI at Kyndryl, about how companies can boost both their AI and...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2022 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×