Posted June 10th, 2010 by Ruth Milkman - Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
This year’s report expands our analysis of what is traditionally called “Commercial Mobile Radio Service” into a larger understanding of competition across the full mobile wireless “ecosystem”, including voice, messaging, and broadband services, as well as “upstream” segments (e.g., towers, spectrum, backhaul) and “downstream” segments (e.g., devices and applications). The broad perspective of the report reflects the increasing importance of mobile wireless broadband, as mobile devices that can access the Internet – such as smartphones – are gaining enormous popularity.
One of the main goals of the FCC staff in preparing this year’s report was to bring as many relevant facts to the table as possible. In many cases, we’ve looked at trends from two or three different angles to reveal a fuller picture of how wireless marketplace is evolving. And, for the first time, we are making much of the data in the report available in machine-readable format for researchers and data practitioners. (Some data used in the report is from proprietary sources such as financial analysts which the Commission does not have the permission to re-distribute in machine-readable form.)
One example of an industry trend examined in the report from multiple data points is the growth of mobile data traffic, arising due to the increased adoption of smartphones and data consumption on new mobile devices that access the Internet. For instance, Cisco estimates that global mobile data traffic grew 157 percent from 33 terabytes in 2008 to 85 terabytes in 2009. The chart below, from independent industry analyst Validas, shows how greater device functionality leads to greater mobile data utilization.
Estimated Mobile Data Usage by Type of Device
And Morgan Stanley data clearly shows that smartphones are becoming a more significant element of the wireless market.
Smartphone Adoption Rates in the United States 2008-2009
In addition, industry revenue from data services is growing, as the below FCC analysis of industry data shows (available in our release of data).
Total Mobile Wireless Industry Revenues
The wireless industry is evolving, and our approach to this annual report has evolved in kind to provide a more complete picture of wireless competition. We hope this data-driven approach will prove to be a useful resource for consumers, analysts, and policy makers.
We’re interested in your feedback – what does this data say to you?
Posted May 12th, 2010 by Ruth Milkman - Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
On Thursday, May 13th, the Commission will be exploring these issues during a workshop called “Expanding Disability Access with Wireless Technologies.” I hope that everyone who is interested will join us in the Commission Meeting Room or via the web from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If that time doesn’t work for you, the workshop will also be available online afterwards.
The first panel will focus on current access challenges. We will be discussing mobile communications access issues facing people with disabilities and disparities in technology access. During that session, we will be asking our panelists to give us their thoughts on questions such as:
Our second panel will explore technology trends. During this session we will discuss ways in which new technologies can offer opportunities to overcome challenges in access to mobile communications. We will be looking at issues such as:
We will also have several technology demonstrations so that people can experience examples of advanced mobile communications devices that are designed to provide access to people with disabilities.
Click here for more information on the upcoming workshop.
Posted January 18th, 2010 by Ruth Milkman - Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
Over the years, Mae has volunteered for many activiites. She has consistently worked with the Combined Federal Campaign and was one of many who volunteered for the DTV Transition outreach effort. For DTV she worked primarily in the Southwest Region conducting outreach activities for consumers and assisting local broadcasters with outreach efforts to ensure all were DTV ready. She worked in both urban as well as rural areas of Texas. Her most memorable day was the day she spent at a Senior Citizens Center in Amarillo, TX. She initially showed up to drop off coupon applications but instead stayed the entire day assisting seniors with converter box hookups and demonstrations and spending time with them. Mae left only after every question had been answered and she'd heard every "life story." She found it very rewarding and fulfilling.
Mae is from Washington, DC. and has lived in this area her whole life. She currently lives in Bowie, MD with her husband of 30 years, Everrett Hall. Together they have two daughters and two grandchildren. She loves attending sporting events, and is very active in her church and loves to cook. Mae says that she enjoys sports. She and her husband have season tickets for Georgetown University's basketball, the Washington Nationals, and the Washington Redskins. She played on the Mass Media Bureau's softball team, in the Communications Softball League, for around seven years. Mae says her claim to fame is that she has played basketball with both Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning.
Mae says she has stayed at the FCC for so long because of the great people she's worked with, and because she really enjoys the work. For her, the people with whom she's worked have provided a "home-like" atmosphere. Mae has so many friends at the Commission who she says will always be a part of her life. She sums up her time at the Commission by saying "I LOVE this job!"
