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Cell Bills Trump Land Line Charges for 1st Time

Americans have 250M mobiles, 170M home lines

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 18, 2007 4:45 PM CST
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(Newser) – US households racked up bigger cellphone than land line bills in 2007 for the first time ever, analysts say. Only 6 years ago, households spent three times more on residential phone bills than on mobiles, a disparity that shrank to an average difference of only $28 by 2006. Now, with more Americans cutting land lines altogether, experts say cells reign supreme.

As wireless networks expand nationwide, text messaging, video, and music have turned more Americans on to cells—to the tune of 250 million phones, compared to 170 million residential lines. Including corporate cellphones, landline bills were trumped years ago, the AP reports. "Frankly, I'd be shocked if (households) don't spend more on cell phones at this point," one expert said.

Graphic shows spending on cell phones and landlines
Graphic shows spending on cell phones and landlines   (Associated Press)
In 2007, households likely to spent more money on cellphones than landlines.
In 2007, households likely to spent more money on cellphones than landlines.   (Index Open)
In 2007, households were more likely to spend on cellphones than landlines.
In 2007, households were more likely to spend on cellphones than landlines.   (Shutterstock.com)
In 2007, more was likely spent on cellphones than landlines in American homes.
In 2007, more was likely spent on cellphones than landlines in American homes.   (Index Open)
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