Short Take: Strategis expects increase in family cellular plans

Wireless communications carriers are expected to increasingly market mobile phone services at families with targeted plans, according to Strategis Group, a communications market research firm. So-called family plan subscribers will increase to nearly 18 million in 2004, up from 200,000 last year, a new Strategis study shows. Family plans are designed to allow many members to share one bill, save money on discounted airtime, and easily keep in contact and check messages. Wireless carriers already have begun to with prepaid plans.