THE FICKLE WIRELESS SUBSCRIBER

In three years, 95% of all new handsets sold will be replacements, according to a survey by The Yankee Group. What does that mean? It means no more clover green wireless newbies willing to take whatever phone a carrier shoves at them. As the pool of new wireless subscribers dwindles to nothing, current wireless consumers are becoming more savvy and more picky about their equipment, and will probably be making some specific decisions about the style and price of their next phones. After getting their first phones for free, most wireless users seem accustomed to paying nothing or a paltry sum for their handsets, according to the survey. And as for style? Apparently there's nostalgia for the old Motorola StarTac. Clam phones are making a comeback. It appears many a subscriber is coveting his neighbor's handset.