ARLINGTON, Va.-According to statistics released by the Telecommunications Industry Association, U.S. exports of telecommunications equipment totaled more than $22.5 billion last year, an 11-percent increase from 1998.
Canada led all countries, importing almost $3.7 billion in U.S. telecom equipment, followed by Mexico at $2.4 billion and Japan at $2.3 billion.
“The dramatic jump in imports, especially cell phones and other wireless products, is a testament to the unprecedented U.S. economic expansion pushing up demand, especially for consumer-oriented products,” said Matthew Flanigan, president of TIA. “TIA expects that 2000 will be another banner year for U.S. exports, as overseas telecom markets outpace the United States and barriers to U.S. products fall.”
While the export numbers grew from the previous year, the United States is still a net telecom importer taking in more than $25.1 billion in telecommunications equipment last year, a 42-percent increase from the previous year. According to TIA’s statistics, the same three countries headed the list of importers to the United States with Canada sending more than $5 billion, followed by Mexico at $4.5 billion and Japan at $3.7 billion.
