This IDC study provides the key metrics for understanding the evolving U.S. wireline telecommunications services industry. We analyze how wireline voice and data services revenue, market shares, and critical competitive forces will shift over the next five years. Specifically, this study forecasts industry revenue growth, access line market shares, and business and residential wireline minutes of use (MOUs) for local, long distance, and international wireline calls.

"The $221 billion U.S. wireline telecommunications industry is mired in a digital revolution. During this period of transition, wireline telecom revenue will decline at a compound annual growth rate of 1.6% from 2003 to 2008. Top-line revenue decline will be tempered by growth in data revenue; however, the promised surge in data revenue has proved elusive so far. IDC believes future revenue growth will be driven by demand for more innovative data applications and greater integration of wireline with wireless services." ? Wu Zhou, research analyst, Residential Telecommunications Services