Wireless capex spending up for first time since 2008, Strategy Analytics says

Wireless capital expense spending grew for the first time since 2008, according to new research from Strategy Analytics. The company said the 1.7% uptick is the first year-on-year increase among more than 200 operators that account for more than 77% of global subscribers.
“There is growing confidence among operators that the worst of the recession is behind them,” said Phil Kendall, director wireless operator strategies. “Revenue growth has accelerated in all regions in 2010. We are now starting to see operators bring deferred investments back on track.”
Service revenues were up 4.5%, which was more than double the growth rate from the third-quarter 2009, while earnings before interest, taxes depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were up 3.2% from the year-ago quarter, but down from the 5% growth in the first half of this year.
“Non-SMS data services drove revenue growth, accounting for 57% of all data revenues in Q3,” said Susan Welsh de Grimaldo, director of mobile broadband opportunities at the research firm. “The continued surge in data traffic on networks means that it was only a matter of time before capex levels would have to rise to support the capacity requirements in the market.”