According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for wireless telephone services were 21.03% lower in 2020 versus 2012 (a $10.51 difference in value).
Between 2012 and 2020: Cell service experienced an average inflation rate of -2.91% per year. This rate of change indicates significant deflation. In other words, cell service costing $50 in the year 2012 would cost $39.49 in 2020 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 1.49% during this same period, inflation for cell service was significantly lower.
In the year 2012: Pricing changed by -0.78%, which is above the average yearly change for cell service during the 2012-2020 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2012 (2.07%), inflation for cell service was lower.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Wireless telephone services:
| Year | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 95.123 | 84.938 | 75.985 | 68.131 | 67.377 | 66.823 | 66.215 | 64.977 | 64.554 | 64.383 | 64.240 | 64.257 | 62.395 | 60.147 | 59.678 | 58.617 | 57.378 | 55.216 | 54.679 | 48.840 | 47.596 | 46.393 | 47.129 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Cell service, over time, for $50 beginning in 2012. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | $50.00 | -0.78% |
| 2013 | $49.11 | -1.78% |
| 2014 | $48.07 | -2.11% |
| 2015 | $46.26 | -3.77% |
| 2016 | $45.81 | -0.97% |
| 2017 | $40.92 | -10.68% |
| 2018 | $39.88 | -2.55% |
| 2019 | $38.87 | -2.53% |
| 2020 | $39.49 | 1.59%* |