Wireless Spending To Exceed Wireline In 2006: Study

For the first time, enterprises will spend more for wireless voice service than on wireline in 2006, according to a study released Wednesday by market research firm In-Stat.

In addition, the study found that wireless data service will start growing quickly, with an average growth rate of 18 percent a year through 2009, the study predicted.

"The transformation of telecom spending continues unabated,"In-Stat analyst Bryan Van Dussen said in a statement. "The relentless march toward IP-based networks, the unequivocal adoption of mobile solutions, and the pervasiveness of broadband have changed the face of business networks forever."

Spending on wireless data will grow fastest in the small office, home office (SOHO) market segement, the study found. In particular, total spending SOHO spending for wireless data will be $2.2 billion in 2009 comapred to less than a half-billion dollars in 2005, according to In-Stat.