This very well could be the breakout year for wireless data consumption in the United States. Indeed, Michael Pousti, the CEO of SMS.ac, a mobile data communications company, reports that domestic multimedia and text messaging activity has increased significantly over the past few years and he forecasts that the largest growth for the industry is still on the horizon. About 14 billion text mobile messages were sent domestically in 2003, with industry reports showing that mobile messaging reached 25 billion by the end of 2004, according to Pousti. Because of the tremendous domestic growth regarding the exchange of multimedia and textual communications, Pousti reports confidence that in 2005 "the aggregate number of mobile messages sent within the U.S. will nearly double to 45 billion."

It is not difficult to ascertain the striking upswing in mobile messaging over the past few years, especially if one goes back in time just a bit to learn that in June, 2001 only about 30,000 text messages reportedly were sent domestically, whereas 2.8 billion such messages reportedly were sent in June, 2004 alone.

Pousti states that "there are a number of elements that will contribute to the amazing acceleration of domestic mobile data consumption in 2005." He states first that "the word is getting out. Anywhere, anytime communication is now demanded by all generations of mobile users who no longer want to be tethered to their PCs." In addition, "more advanced and easier to use handsets are making their way into the marketplace." Thus, "the sheer number of mobile subscribers who are discovering and consistently using mobile messaging is increasing at rates that have exceeded all expectations."

Not only does Pousti believe that 2005 will be a banner year for domestic mobile messaging, he goes so far as to predict that this year "the U.S. [will] emerge as one of the top three mobile data consuming nations in the world, measured by data volume." He goes on to state that "the realization of these phenomenal numbers, along with the revenues they generate should quiet the skeptics who earlier questioned whether mobile messaging would ever happen in the U.S."

While there is little question that the consumption of mobile data is on the increase domestically, time will tell whether the further explosive growth will continue exponentially such that the United States catches up quickly to other countries, such as China, for example, where cellular phone users reportedly sent 176 billion text messages during the first ten months of 2004.

Eric Sinrod is a partner in the San Francisco office of Duane Morris (www.duanemorris.com), where he focuses on litigation matters of various types, including information technology disputes. His column appears Wednesdays at USATODAY.com. His Web site is www.sinrodlaw.com, and he can be reached at . To receive a weekly e-mail link to Mr. Sinrod's columns, please send an e-mail with the word Subscribe in the Subject line to .

Reprinted here with permission from USAToday.com.