U.S. Wireless Carrier Data Services and Applications 2Q05 Service Provider Analysis

This study presents a competitive analysis of wireless data services and applications among the major U.S. wireless carriers for the second quarter of 2005 as well as an aggregated view of tier 2 and 3 carriers and associated market totals. It provides a high-level comparison of the data services and applications revenue and traffic delivered in 2Q05 by Cingular Wireless, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Nextel. It includes an estimated aggregated view of tier 2 and 3 regional and local carriers as well as industry averages and totals by which the performance of select service providers can be objectively compared.

IDC's taxonomy of data services and applications comprises three broad categories: messaging (SMS, MMS, and IM), content and application downloads (ringtones, graphics, games, and consumer and business applications), and other services and content. In this study, each national carrier's 2Q05 performance is separately compared from a revenue and a traffic/volume perspective. Market share totals and additional analysis provide a view into the divergent data strategies implemented by operators.

Companies Mentioned: Cingular Wireless; Verizon Wireless; Sprint PCS; T-Mobile USA; Nextel Communications; ALLTEL; U.S. Cellular; Virgin Mobile; Dobson Communications; Leap Wireless; Qwest Wireless