7 ms·

IIRC most people had cells by 1999, just not smartphones. One used their phone to call people. Certainly that was the case by 2003 but I think that was also tru

• paul7986 6y ago
  In 1999 if you were a teen you most likely did not have a cellphone..18 to 24 you might have had a cellphone. Email (hotmail) and AIM (AOL Messenger) was used extensively.
• zeroonetwothree 6y ago
  It was around 50% in 1999
• nonameiguess 6y ago
  I didn't buy my first mobile phone until 2007, but I was definitely a hold out and the last person I knew to finally give in, effectively because it was required for continued employment.
• dunnevens 6y ago
  Had to look this up because I was curious. This site quotes from the World Almanac, which states 32% of the US had a cell phone in 1999. https://hypertextbook.com/facts/2002/BogusiaGrzywac.shtml https://hypertextbook.com/facts/2002/BogusiaGrzywac.shtml From my personal anecdotal experience, that would be correct. I had a cell phone, but had gotten my first in 1998. All of my friends who were professionals did too. My friends who were artists, or more marginal economically, did not. Cell phones were a common sight, but it was also clear that many didn't have them. I remember feeling slightly special when I could pull mine out in 1999. Even Seinfeld had jokes about cell phone etiquette. Which was a clear sign they didn't expect their audience to be entirely comfortable with them. A breakdown by city would be interesting. Wouldn't be surprised if usage was 50%+ in larger cities.