The number of global subscriptions for wireless services is expected to reach five billion in September and be equal to 73.4 percent of the world’s population, a market research firm has said.

According to iSuppli Corp, worldwide wireless subscriptions will increase by another 100 million and hit 5.1 billion at the end of 2010, Xinhua reported.

The research firm said its projections include subscriptions for all mobile phones, from ultra low-cost handsets to high-end smartphones.

“If the importance of an event can be measured by the number of people it affects, then the proliferation of wireless communications stands out as one of the most significant phenomena in the history of technology,” Jagdish Rebello, principal analyst for wireless research at iSuppli, said in a statement.

“Wireless communication now has spread to every nation, every age and every income level, becoming a basic staple like food, clothing and shelter,” he said.

BDST: 2145 HRS, 18 September 2010