US tech spending to see 'solid, steady growth' this year and next, Forrester says

Combined U.S. business and consumer spending on technology will rise 5.3 percent this year to US$1.315 trillion and 6.0 percent to $1.4 trillion in 2015, thanks to an improving economy and an acceleration in purchases by businesses and government agencies, according to Forrester Research.

"2014 looks like the first year since 2011 that threats of federal government shutdowns, potential failures to raise the federal debt ceiling, and austerity measures will not disrupt the prospects for US economic growth," Forrester vice president and principal analyst Andrew Bartels said in a report released Thursday.

By specific category, software spending will grow the fastest, by 8.6 percent this year to $284 billion, and 9.4 percent to $310 billion in 2015. Within software, mobile applications will be particularly hot during the period, Bartels wrote.

IT consulting services will benefit from the uptick in software sales as they help customers implement products. Revenue in this category is expected to jump 8.1 percent both this year and next, reaching $198 billion in 2015.

Computer and peripheral sales will rise 6.7 percent to $134 billion this year and 6.0 percent next year to $142 billion.

Spending on communications equipment will hit $135 billion next year, driven by a 5.2 percent increase this year and a 6.4 percent jump in 2015.

Telecommunications services, the largest category in Forrester's survey, will generate $354 billion in revenue this year, a 1.7 percent rise. Growth in the category will pick up in 2015, jumping 3 percent to $364 billion.

Chris Kanaracus covers enterprise software and general technology breaking news for The IDG News Service. Chris' email address is Chris_Kanaracus@idg.com