June 5, 2013
Via Mike Snider of USA Today, a new report from PricewaterhouseCoopers finds that when it comes to being online, consumers are increasingly turning to mobile connections:
This year, consumer spending on Internet-connected smartphones, tablets and other devices will surpass home broadband service fees for the first time, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers’ “Entertainment & Media Outlook 2013-2017” report. In four years, nearly 286.7 million in the U.S., or 87% of the population, will have mobile Internet devices, while about 85% of homes will have broadband.
Mobile Internet access spending will top $54 billion in the U.S. this year, compared with $49.6 billion in home Internet spending, the consulting firm estimates in the report, out today. In 2012, home Internet spending ($46.5 billion) slightly outpaced mobile ($44.5 billion).
“We see mobile growing at a much more pronounced rate than broadband, because we are getting toward the saturation point (on home broadband),” says PwC partner Sean De Winter. “Mobile Internet penetration is screaming through the roof.”
All the more reason for the FCC to ensure their upcoming spectrum auctions are designed to be as successful as possible — for providers, the federal government, and consumers.