CTIA 2026 Annual Survey Highlights

Americans continue to demand more wireless data to power everything—from AI to wearables, digital streaming services, and more. In 2025 alone, Americans used a staggering 159.3 trillion megabytes of data—20 percent more data than was used the previous year and 39 percent more data than was used during the entire 4G decade. That growth reflects the increasingly central role wireless plays in everyday life, as data demand is expected to grow 4x by 2032. And the growth of AI will place an even greater strain on America’s wireless networks. AI is growing 3x faster than traditional wireless traffic and is expected to make up nearly a third of all broadband traffic by 2034. This traffic will upend traditional patterns, requiring more licensed spectrum and continued investment to support AI innovation across industries.