NEW YORK, Aug. 11 /EMWNews/ -- JupiterResearch, a leading authority

on the impact of the Internet and emerging consumer technologies on

business, has found that wireless subscriber growth is slowing due to

market saturation, with US carriers adding only 26 million new subscribers

in the next five years to reach 266 million in 2013. Adoption by teens and

young adults will become nearly ubiquitous as the majority of the

demographic already have cell phones, and 31 percent of parents with

children ages 10 to 12 reported that their children also have cell phones.



    According to a new JupiterResearch report, "US Wireless Forecast, 2008

to 2013: Reaching the Tipping Point for Mobile Data Services," cell phones

are evolving from a one-to-one communication platform into a one-to-many

platform as online users migrate toward social networks as a center of

communication. Although this transition is just beginning, its impact on

the mobile data market is significant.



    Data access fees will soon represent the bulk of non-messaging data

revenue for carriers. Sales of devices that are optimized for more than

voice, and targeted toward consumers with lower price points, improved

browsing experiences, and access to social networking services are on the

rise. Moreover, widgets will become standard on basic feature phones,

enabling users to engage with the Internet while avoiding the challenges of

browsing on a small screen.



    "Devices like the iPhone that now offer faster network speeds and

unlimited data plans at affordable prices will drive adoption of data plans

within the next five years," explained Julie Ask, Vice President, Research

Director and Lead Author of the report for JupiterResearch. "The associated

revenue of nearly $16 billion in 2013 will represent the largest portion of

overall consumer data revenue."



    According to David Schatsky, President of JupiterResearch, "Consumers'

increasing desire to access social applications such as Facebook on their

cell phones, coupled with flat-rate pricing plans, will give carriers the

opportunity to capitalize on this revenue shift."



    The complete findings of this report are immediately available to

JupiterResearch clients online at http://www.jupiterresearch.com. For details on

JupiterResearch's methodology, visit

http://www.jupiterresearch.com/bin/item.pl/methodology or email

[email protected] to request a detailed methodology statement. For

additional information on this report or JupiterResearch's Wireless

research service, visit http://www.jupiterresearch.com or contact Kieran Kelly,

Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Client Service, at 1-800-481-1212

or [email protected].

    About JupiterResearch



    JupiterResearch provides unbiased research, analysis and advice, backed

by proprietary data, to help companies profit from the impact of the

Internet and emerging consumer technologies on their business. The company

helps online businesses make critical decisions about technology selection,

spending, staffing, and Web site effectiveness; advises consumer-facing

companies with online advertising, marketing, and customer service

strategies to understand, attract, convert and retain customers; and guides

technology vendors and service providers on market opportunity,

positioning, product definition, and pricing. JupiterResearch is

headquartered in New York City and has offices throughout the US and

Europe. For more information, visit http://www.jupiterresearch.com.






    Contacts:

    Adriane Dean or Pete Arnold

    Peter Arnold Associates

    781-239-1030

    [email protected]