Yankee Group Company

Yankee Group, a communications research and consulting firm, said it expected the number of wireless telephone subscribers globally to increase 49% over the next four years and reach 1.72 billion by 2007. The firm expected subscriber revenue to rise 51% to $584 billion by 2007, making wireless services similar in value to worldwide crude oil production. It said technology based on GSM, or global system for mobile communication, would control about 80% of the market in 2007, up from 70% in 2002.

Yankee Group, a communications research and consulting firm, said it expected the number of wireless telephone subscribers globally to increase 49% over the next four years and reach 1.72 billion by 2007. The firm expected subscriber revenue to rise 51% to $584 billion by 2007, making wireless services similar in value to worldwide crude oil production. It said technology based on GSM, or global system for mobile communication, would control about 80% of the market in 2007, up from 70% in 2002.

Wireless IPOs could be highfliers this week and next, with Nextel Partners Inc. (ticker symbol: NXTP) starting trading today on Nasdaq and Palm Inc. (PALM), maker of the Palm Pilot organizers, expected to be priced as early as Monday. Kirkland, Wash.-based Nextel raised $470 million Tuesday by selling 23.5 million shares at $20 each, $2 above the expected range set by underwriter Goldman, Sachs & Co.

Two years ago, Ashley Power's world revolved around such teenage concerns as schoolwork and popularity. Today, Ashley has a talent agent, a Hollywood publicist and a pending book deal. That's because Ashley, 15, is the president and co-chairman of Goosehead.