19th Annual Mobile Wireless Competition Report
Download the 19th Report Web Appendices UPDATED Information (none currently)Back to 19th Report Homepage
Quick Facts
Mobile wireless services are an essential part of Americans’ daily lives. Mobile handsets are no longer used only for voice communication, email, social networking, and web browsing, but are increasingly used as hubs for entertainment, mobile commerce, home automation, and to connect other personal devices such as smart watches, fitness trackers, and health monitors. Further, mobile wireless serves a critical role in public safety, enabling users to summon lifesaving help, receive timely alerts, and access pertinent information. These developments have made mobile wireless one of the most important sectors in the national economy. Preserving and promoting competition in mobile wireless services is central to the Commission’s mission and is critical for driving innovation and investment to the ultimate benefit of the American consumer.
On Sept. 23, 2016, the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau released the Nineteenth Annual Mobile Wireless Competition Report. This report covered data from 2015 and looked at factors such as market shares among providers, coverage, and pricing trends. Some of the key data and findings are presented below. In the Web Appendices, the Bureau provides additional maps and tables that were not included in the released version of the 19th Report. Further, the Bureau will provide any more recent data in the UPDATED Information section.
Market Shares
Market Shares for Mobile Wireless Service Providers Based on Service Revenues, 2012 – 2015
Source: 19th Report
Overall Mobile Wireless Coverage
Estimated Mobile Wireless Coverage by Census Block Year-End 2015
Source: Jan. 2016 Mosaik (centroid), Census 2010.
It is important to note that the number of service providers in a census block represent network coverage only. Network coverage does not necessarily reflect the number of service providers from which any particular individual or household in a given area may choose. These coverage calculations, while useful for measuring developments in mobile coverage, have certain limitations that likely result in an overstatement of the extent of mobile coverage.
LTE Broadband Coverage
Estimated Mobile LTE Broadband Coverage by Census Block Year-End 2015
Source: Jan. 2016 Mosaik (centroid), Census 2010.
It is important to note that the number of service providers in a census block represent network coverage only. Network coverage does not necessarily reflect the number of service providers from which any particular individual or household in a given area may choose. These coverage calculations, while useful for measuring developments in mobile coverage, have certain limitations that likely result in an overstatement of the extent of mobile coverage.
Data Usage
Mobile Data Usage per Subscriber 2010 - 2015
Source: CTIA Wireless Industry Indices Year-End 2015, Chart 32 Indices.