NAICS 517122 Quarterly Industry Report
Agents for Wireless Telecommunications Services
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 517122Sector: Information (51)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
Fair Market Value compiles this NAICS 517122 industry report using data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5], the Bureau of Labor Statistics[4], and the Small Business Administration[6]. Our research team analyzes commission structures, per-store revenue metrics, and subscriber activation volumes to build valuation benchmarks specific to wireless agent operations. This report on NAICS 517122 is updated quarterly to reflect shifting carrier distribution strategies and retail channel economics.
Industry Definition & Overview
Agents for Wireless Telecommunications Services (NAICS 517122) encompasses establishments that act as agents or brokers for wireless telecommunications carriers, selling service plans, devices, and accessories on a commission basis. These agents do not own network infrastructure or hold spectrum licenses. Instead, they operate retail storefronts, kiosks, and online platforms under carrier branding to activate new subscriber accounts, process upgrades, and handle basic customer service inquiries.
Authorized dealer networks form the primary channel through which national carriers reach consumers in suburban and rural markets where corporate-owned stores are absent. Agents earn commissions on new activations, device sales, insurance add-ons, and accessory transactions. Multi-carrier agents operate stores representing two or more carriers, though exclusivity agreements remain common among larger dealer groups. Revenue per location depends on foot traffic, local market demographics, and the commission structure negotiated with each carrier partner.
The Federal Communications Commission[2] regulates the underlying wireless services but does not directly license agents, who operate as independent retailers. Industry Census Bureau[3] captures agent revenue within the broader telecommunications sector, while the Bureau of Labor Statistics[4] tracks retail sales employment that overlaps with wireless agent storefronts. Agent operations concentrate in strip malls, shopping centers, and high-traffic retail corridors across metropolitan and mid-sized markets nationwide. Turnover among smaller single-location agents is high, driven by commission rate changes and shifting carrier distribution strategies.
What's Included in This Industry
- Authorized wireless carrier retail store operations
- New subscriber activation and account setup
- Mobile device sales, trade-ins, and upgrade processing
- Wireless accessory and device protection plan sales
- Multi-carrier retail brokerage and comparison services
- Kiosk-based wireless sales in malls and retail centers
- Online wireless plan activation and device fulfillment
- Business wireless account acquisition and fleet setup
- Carrier-branded customer service and troubleshooting
- Commission-based prepaid and postpaid plan enrollment
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Information | 51 |
| Subsector | Telecommunications | 517 |
| Industry Group | Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) | 5171 |
| NAICS Industry | Telecommunications Resellers and Agents for Wireless Telecommunication Services | 51712 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 517112 | Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) | Wireless carriers are the principal partners whose commission schedules and branding requirements define agent business models and revenue potential |
| 517121 | Telecommunications Resellers | Telecom resellers purchase wholesale capacity and own the customer relationship, while agents sell carrier plans on commission without holding accounts |
| 517111 | Wired Telecommunications Carriers | Wired carriers offer bundled internet and television products that some multi-service wireless agents cross-sell alongside mobile plans |
| 444110 | Home Centers | Electronics and appliance retailers sell smartphones and tablets as products, competing with wireless agents who bundle devices with carrier plans |
| 811210 | Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance | Communication equipment repair shops handle device repairs that wireless agents often refer or perform as ancillary revenue services |
| 531120 | Lessors of Nonresidential Buildings (except Miniwarehouses) | Commercial real estate lessors provide the retail space leases that represent the largest fixed cost for wireless agent storefronts |
SBA Lending Summary
16
Total SBA Loans
$1.4M
Total Loan Volume
$90K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
12.25%
Average Interest Rate
8
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[1]
Key Insight: The SBA size standard[7] for NAICS 517122 is 1,500 employees, using a headcount threshold that classifies agents with fewer workers as small businesses for federal programs. Wireless agents can access SBA 7(a) loans[8] for store buildouts, inventory financing, and working capital, while SBA 504 loans[9] support retail real estate acquisition. Most authorized dealer groups employ fewer than 100 people across their store networks.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TD Bank, National Association | 8 | $800K | $100K |
| 2 | JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association | 8 | $640K | $80K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses fall under NAICS 517122?
NAICS 517122 covers establishments that sell wireless carrier service plans on a commission basis without owning network infrastructure. This includes authorized carrier dealers, multi-carrier retail agents, wireless kiosk operators, and online wireless activation platforms.
How is NAICS 517122 different from 517112?
NAICS 517112 covers carriers that own and operate wireless networks under spectrum licenses, while 517122 covers agents that sell carrier plans on commission without owning infrastructure. Carriers invest billions in towers and spectrum; agents invest in retail locations and sales staff, per Census Bureau classifications[10].
What is the SBA size standard for wireless agents?
The SBA sets the size standard for NAICS 517122 at 1,500 employees. Agents with fewer workers qualify as small businesses for federal contracting and lending, per the SBA size standards table[7].
What NAICS codes are related to wireless agents?
Related codes include 517112 (wireless carriers), 517121 (telecom resellers), 517111 (wired carriers), 444110 (general retailers), and 811210 (equipment repair). Each connects through distribution, competition, or service relationships in the wireless retail channel.
What industries are closely related to wireless agents?
Closely related industries include wireless carriers (517112) as commission partners, telecom resellers (517121) as competitors, general retailers (444110) for device sales overlap, and commercial real estate (531120) for retail leasing.
What activities are included in wireless agent operations?
Activities include new subscriber activations, device sales and upgrades, accessory sales, device protection enrollment, prepaid plan sales, business account acquisition, and carrier-branded customer service. The FCC[2] regulates the underlying wireless services agents sell.
Can wireless agents get SBA loans?
Where are wireless agents concentrated in the United States?
Wireless agents operate nationwide, concentrating in suburban strip malls and shopping centers with high foot traffic. Texas, Florida, California, and the greater New York area support the largest number of dealer locations, per Census Bureau County Business Patterns[11].
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [2]Federal Communications Commission fcc.gov
- [3]Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [4]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Small Business Administration sba.gov
- [7]SBA size standard sba.gov
- [8]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [9]SBA 504 loans sba.gov
- [10]Census Bureau classifications census.gov
- [11]Census Bureau County Business Patterns census.gov
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