Estimates indicate that over 28,000 new subscribers sign up for wireless service each day. The industry claims that it will be a $60 billion market by the year 2004.

Wireless voice growth has been astounding compared to the growth of other technologies. In 1984, cellular users numbered approximately 91,000. By the end of 1997 there were over 50 million users. This is remarkable when you consider that it took just 14 years for the industry to reach 50 million users, compared with television, which took 24 years to reach 50 million users, and radio, which took 39 years to reach the same level of usage. Perhaps even more remarkable is that it took over 75 years for landline telephone service to reach 50 million subscribers. While wireless calls account for only about 2% of all calls today, by 2002 that figure is expected to jump to 40% of all calls.

PCS deployment has fueled wireless growth in the last several years with most major cities adding a third and even a fourth wireless carrier. Increased competition from these carriers has brought overall rates down by 10%-15% in many markets. Handset pricing has been steadily declining as well. Mobile phones, installed in cars, were selling for over $3,000 in 1984. Today many carriers are offering free handheld units in exchange for service contracts. Added features and enhancements, including e-mail, faxing, pre-paid service and paging capabilities have all contributed to growth. Market penetration is between 14% - 24% in many...