Wireless Infrastructure Association Report Reveals Industry’s Critical Role in Fueling Economic Growth

Arlington, VA – Wireless technology has rapidly transformed our world. No longer confined to the telecommunications sector, wireless advancements are igniting a revolution across industries, fueling efficiencies, and igniting unprecedented economic development and job expansion. The Wireless Infrastructure Association has released its By the Number Report which quantifies the size of the nation’s wireless infrastructure sector, including purpose-built cellular towers, indoor and outdoor small cells, macrocell sectors, annual infrastructure spending and the American jobs that sustain this critical resource.

Key statistics underscore the robustness of the U.S. wireless infrastructure industry as of 2023:

• 153,400 purpose-built cellular towers in operation
• 244,800 macrocell sites, excluding small cells
• 805,400 macrocell sectors, excluding small cells
• 202,100 outdoor small cells in operation
• 775,800 indoor small cell nodes in use, encompassing DAS, small cells, private CBRS networks, and licensed frequency bands
• Employment of 387,300 individuals or full-time equivalents dedicated to building, maintaining, and operating cellular networks nationwide, supporting 4G/LTE, 5G, indoor and outdoor networks, and private networks.

The U.S. wireless infrastructure industry stands as a testament to enabling connectivity for innovation, driving economic growth while delivering opportunity for all.

About WIA: The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) represents the businesses that build, develop, own, and operate the nation’s wireless infrastructure. WIA advocates for the widespread, responsible deployment of wireless infrastructure to enable connectivity everywhere.

Media Contact: Marshall Miller | 717-951-0795 | marshall.miller@wia.org