Petroc Taylor
Research expert covering global developments in the use of data
Mobile communications in the United States - statistics & facts
From Tik-Tok live streams to fitness tracking, U.S. consumers have fully embraced on-the-go connectivity. This has been enabled by a highly competitive mobile communications industry, with network operators battling to provide the best possible mobile data services across the country. The number of mobile cellular subscriptions in the United States continues to climb, having surpassed one subscription per inhabitant in 2014, placing the United States among the best-connected nations worldwide. The industry’s focus is firmly on the rollout and adoption of 5G (fifth generation) networks, with industry leaders exploring the broad range of capabilities made possible by this latest iteration of mobile tech.
U.S. mobile users look to unlimited data plans
As in developed markets worldwide, mobile data has become the most important service offered by network operators, as consumers become less concerned with call and SMS allowances. This reflects shifting usage habits towards internet messaging services such as Apple’s iMessage, as well as data intensive activities such as streaming and video calling. It is these data hungry tasks that have caused U.S. data traffic to accelerate in recent years, mirroring global trends, and driving demand for fast download speeds and unlimited data plans. A 2023 survey found that 44 percent of U.S. consumers were subscribed to such a plan.T-Mobile US offers the best 5G experience
Three major network operators dominate the U.S. wireless landscape. Texas-based AT&T is the largest operator by subscribers, servicing almost half of all U.S. subscriptions, though rival firm Verizon has consistently generated greater wireless revenue. Meanwhile, T-Mobile US has established itself as a leader in 5G, recording the highest average download speeds as it seeks to challenge AT&T and Verizon in network quality. Survey data indicates that this strategy could prove effective, with consumers citing reliability as the leading deciding factor in carrier selection after cost considerations. As consumer adoption of 5G progresses, attention has turned to the adoption of 5G in industry, with various IoT (internet of things) and AI (artificial intelligence) applications set to bring a host of benefits.
