Smartphones now 31% of all U.S. wireless market

Smartphones are now 31 percent of all the United States subscription base, according to this 2nd quarter wireless report.

Some other interesting finds in the report:

  • In the second quarter the U.S. averaged around 639 text messages per user per month.
  • "There is a significant shift taking place in terms of app revenues. In 2010, there will be more revenues generated (globally) from off-deck than on-deck for the first time and while the on-deck revenues are in billions, the decline trend looks irreversible. In the US, this shift will occur next year."
    • Translation: In the early days of mobile apps only got onto phones by getting "on the deck" - meaning pre-installed on phones or included in a very limited app store. These stores and apps were controlled by wireless companies. Today "off the deck" apps are possible because of the Android Marketplace (and somewhat the iTunes App Store - though that is still controlled by Apple so I'd call it a hybrid in-between on and off deck).
  • Data traffic (non-voice, such as mobile web) is now used significantly more than the voice traffic. In the first half of 2010, the average US consumer was consuming approximately 230 MB/month which is up 50% in 6 month.