Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $333.8bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Competition limits the potential for revenue growth
- Demand for mobile data services has proliferated and the industry's major companies have capitalized on this trend. With an explosion in smartphone adoption and data consumption habits, wireless telecommunications carriers face an influx of demand.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
More smartphones will likely lead to positive traffic
- The enhanced speed of fourth-generation (4G) and LTE networks has already driven more customers to abandon landlines altogether. This trend will accelerate with the rollout and spread of 5G wireless networks.
Biggest companies in the Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
T-Mobile Us, Inc. | 65,749.7 | 12,664.7 | 19.3 | |
Verizon Communications Inc. | 65,252.1 | 19,868.9 | 30.4 | |
At&T Inc. | 59,414.9 | 18,159.6 | 30.6 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 10 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Wireless voice telephone services, Wireless data services and Mobile dispatch. Wireless voice telephone services is the largest segment of the Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in the US.
Trends and Insights
Wireless calling faces competition from internet-based calling
- Second-generation (2G), third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G) and fifth-generation (5G) services, along with narrowband personal communication services make up the bulk of wireless voice products. Analog (first-generation) services mostly shut down in early 2008, while companies have steadily phased out 2G and 3G services.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry operates and maintains switching and transmission facilities to provide direct communications through the airwaves. Industry services include cellular mobile phone services, paging services, wireless internet access and wireless video services.
What's included in this industry?
Providing wireless network communication service for local, long-distance and international callsProviding messaging services, such as short message services (SMS) and multimedia messaging services (MMS)Providing wireless internet services and other nonmessaging dataSelling cell phones and other wireless devicesRenting out wireless telecommunications equipmentWholesaling wireless infrastructure capacity to telecommunications resellersOperating and maintaining of switching and transmission facilitiesCompanies
T-Mobile Us, Inc.Verizon Communications Inc.At&T Inc.Purchase this report to view all 10 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
AVERAGE REVENUE PER USER (ARPU)CHURN RATEWIMAXLONG-TERM EVOLUTION (LTE)PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES (PCS)BROADBAND PCSNARROWBAND PCSUNLICENSED PCSIndustry Code
NAICS 517312 - Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The wireless telecom market's saturation's pushed companies into fierce price and bundling battles. To stand out, carriers are now offering add-ons like streaming subscriptio...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Returning travel and commutes to the office boosts mobile data use to the benefit of wireless providers. Customers rely heavily on mobile networks for navigation and entertai...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Telecommunication companies are working to boost rural network access. While cities enjoy fast and reliable 4G, rural areas often struggle with weaker connections, leaving re...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
A slew of mergers and acquisitions, including T-Mobile and Sprint in 2020, has helped companies expand customer bases and find cost synergies as the consumer market’s growth p...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Verizon has replaced its older copper cable telephone lines with a new fiber-optic network, potentially saving the company millions of dollars. Fiber optic cables carry signa...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of T-Mobile Us, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Verizon Communications Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of At&T Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 7 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for T-Mobile Us, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Verizon Communications Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for At&T Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 7 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 allocated billions in grants for states to improve internet access in rural areas. The law also provides vouchers to help low-income...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Spectrum purchases are essential for network services. Wireless carriers spend much on spectrum through government auctions to provide network connections. Subsidized smartph...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in the US industry in United States is $333.8bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in the US industry in 2024?
There are 1,037 businesses in the Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 3.5 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 0.1 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Wireless Telecommunications Carriers market in United States are T-Mobile Us, Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. and At&T Inc.
What does the Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in the US in United States include?
Providing wireless network communication service for local, long-distance and international calls and Providing messaging services, such as short message services (SMS) and multimedia messaging services (MMS) are part of the Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is T-Mobile Us, Inc..
How competitive is the Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in the US industry in United States.
Related Industries
Widen your competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
Complementors
- There are no industries to display.
View all industries in United States
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
