Telecommunication is an increasingly important part of modern society. The telecommunication infrastructure includes hardware such as electronics, computers, and data transmitters, as well as equipment shelters, and the towers used to mount antennas, transmitters, and receivers. Wired communication systems include telephone and cable TV systems, while wireless communication systems includes items such as personal computer systems and cellular telephones. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the total value of shipments for communications equipment in 1999 was $84 billion. An important factor to be considered for corrosion cost is the additional cost for corrosion protection of towers and shelters, such as painting and galvanizing. In addition, corrosion of buried copper grounding beds, as well as galvanic corrosion of the grounded steel structures contribute to the corrosion cost.

For this sector, no corrosion cost was determined, because of the lack of information on this rapidly changing industry. Many components are being replaced before physically failing, because they become obsolete technology in a short period of time.

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