U.S. Wireless Industry Is Second-Largest Investor in America, According to New Report

WASHINGTON - The wireless industry, relying on full-power, licensed spectrum, is the second-largest domestic source of direct investment into America's economy, according to a new report from the Advanced Analytical Consulting Group (AACG), commissioned by CTIA.

"Wireless investment has a disproportionately large impact on America's economy, accounting for substantial shares of the economic and job growth we've experienced in recent years. As a primary contributor of direct investment, the wireless industry is a major contributor to American economic growth," said Tim Tardiff, Affiliate at AACG and author of the paper.

America's five largest wireless providers invested an average of $54B each year over the past three years and a total of $591B since 2011 to expand and enhance their networks, making wireless America's second-highest investing industry, according to AACG. This investment stimulates growth in related industries, such as network equipment and wireless devices, while the resulting improvements in connectivity support innovation and economic activity across all sectors of the U.S. economy. Since 2011, this investment accounted for 9% of American GDP and 25% of job growth-highlighting how wireless helps drive the U.S. economy.

"I am proud of the critical role the wireless industry plays today, thanks to the tens of billions we invest each year to build our world-leading 5G platform," said CTIA President and CEO Meredith Attwell Baker. "Today's report underscores the need for Congress to provide a clear path to additional licensed spectrum to support one of the two biggest contributors to our economy."

America's wireless industry needs a pipeline of full-power, licensed mid-band spectrum to continue to invest, meet growing 5G demand and support other industries' implementation of 5G-driven innovation. Other countries, including China, recognize the role that 5G plays in economic growth and global competitiveness, and are making significant amounts of spectrum available to meet that need. To counter those ambitions and secure America's economic leadership, U.S. policymakers must restore the FCC's spectrum auction authority and establish a defined pipeline of mid-band spectrum.

A copy of AACG's report, Wireless Investment and Economic Benefits, can be found here: https://www.ctia.org/news/wireless-investment-and-economic-benefits.