Toronto, CA (May 22, 2007) - The Messaging Industry Association (TMIA) today released information based on data accumulated over four years regarding the use of wire-line phones in US homes. The trend shows a clear attrition in the use of home telephones particularly by young adults. ( see graphic here )

The most dramatic numbers appear in the 18-25 and 25-35 age groups, where close to 90% of those surveyed had home telephones in 2003. After four years, the survey shows that only 67% and 75% of respondents in those age groups, respectively, had home telephones. The decline has been particularly significant in the last two years, representing a loss of about 15% in each age group.

"One might expect that as young people settle down and start families, there would be an up-tick in land-line usage," said Tom Harper, Executive Director, TMIA. "Instead, what we're seeing is that people who were 18 in the late nineties, when mobile phone usage surged, are now at the age where they start to settle down and have families. But they are not necessarily subscribing to wire-line home telephone services."

Harper notes that recent reports by The Gartner Group and In-Stat show land-line usage holding strong with those who currently have home services. It was suggested that 87% of landline users had no plans to abandon their home phone.

"This is corroborated by our research, which shows very little change among users 36 and older," said Harper. "However, we interpret that the big decline is among those who have never had a land line. In essence, the industry must come to terms with the fact that those who own home lines will eventually die, and many of these lines will not be replaced by new subscribers."

What does this mean for an industry in flux? First off, it's critical for companies to understand that the more immediate threat to wireline is a new generation of consumers who acquire mobile phones as teenagers and never subscribe to a wireline service.

"For over 100 years the family shared a wireline telephone in the home community. This was their only choice to stay connected." continues Harper. "With individual wireless service, the consumer now has choice. Industry players must recognize this as they design and promote the benefits of voice services for the home."

The above data was accumulated by TMIA through its annual online survey of 1,500 respondents from across the USA. Respondents were random adults over 18 years of age.

About TMIA

The Messaging Industry Association, or TMIA, works to advance the awareness, adoption and use of all messaging services and technologies. TMIA was formed in 1998 to advance business prospects for vendors and service providers in the enhanced telecommunications services industry. The organization began with 8 founding member companies. Today, TMIA boasts a membership of over 45 member companies. The most recent annual meeting had 170 participants from 56 companies.

TMIA members join the not-for-profit organization to help maximize the growth of the messaging industry in order to increase profitability of all industry participants. Through committee work, members conduct research and promote growth in specific areas, such as Unified Communications, Wire-line/Wireless Convergence, Migration to Next Generation Messaging, Text and Video Messaging.

To learn more about the organization, the benefits of membership, and upcoming events, please visit www.tmia.org.

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