IDC predicts wireless internet growth

About 84 million people in the US will plug wirelessly into the internet by 2005, according to the latest report from market research firm IDC.

The research claims that the number of wireless subscribers in the US is growing at a compound annual growth rate of 73 per cent and is estimated to reach 84 million by 2005, from 5 million users in 2000.

According to Charul Vyas, senior research analyst at IDC, business users will set the trend in wireless adoption.

"Businesses tend to introduce new services and devices to their employees first, and mobile employees have a need for highly functional devices with higher speed wireless internet capabilities," he said.

IDC believes that the uptake in wireless internet services will be boosted in 2003 by wireless data rates being faster than landline dial-up rates as carriers roll out their 2.5G and 3G networks.

It also cites more functional end-user equipment and always-on capabilities as instigators.