In August 2026, wireless telephone service prices in the US increased by 5.9%, marking the largest single-month rise ever recorded for this category. This surge contributed to a 0.3% month-over-month growth in the core Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The overall CPI rose by 0.4% in August on a seasonally adjusted basis and by 3.4% year-over-year. Core CPI, excluding food and energy, reached 2.4% annually. The communications sector accounts for approximately 3.2% of the total CPI basket.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) updated its methodology for measuring wireless costs in July 2025. The agency began using secondary data from carriers and MVNOs, alongside hedonic regression models that adjust prices based on service quality.
Recent volatility includes a 3.3% decline in wireless prices in December 2025 and a 2.2% rebound in May 2026. Economists are now debating whether the August spike is a temporary statistical artifact or evidence of persistent inflation in the service sector.
