According to Pyramid Research, mobile number portability (MNP) was first instituted in the U.S. on November 24, 2003 � a date wireless carriers feared most. U.S. mobile operators braced themselves for what they expected to be one of the largest challenges within their industry. Eighteen months after its introduction, number portability has been more of a lumbering elephant and less of a roaring lion. At the onset, the FCC, wireless operators, and many industry analysts expected 30 million subscribers to transfer their wireless number within the first 12 months of MNP�s introduction. Only 7.8 million actually did. The top five national carriers have all added customers during this time, with AT&T/Cingular growing by about 5 percent on the low end, and T-Mobile growing by more than 33 percent on the high end. Overall, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile have been the biggest winners as they have focused on improving network quality and customer service. However, the new Cingular may soon become MNPs largest beneficiary as it has become the nation�s largest carrier.
The personal computing device market continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience despite recent fluctuations. According to the latest worldwide market study by International Data Corporation (IDC), global PC shipments are projected to reach 273 million units in 2025—a modest but significant 3.7 percent increase over the previous year. This growth reflects the market's adaptation to post-pandemic realities and evolving technology needs across the globe. Personal Computing Market Development While COVID-19 initially triggered unprecedented demand for computing devices during the shift to remote work and online education, we now see a more measured growth pattern. IDC has slightly adjusted its projections downward, indicating a market growing steadily rather than explosively. "In light of so many challenges around the world, Japan is a much-needed source of double-digit growth this year. Enterprises there as well as SMBs have been quickly replacing PCs in advance of the Window...