As mobile operators continue to improve and perfect the state-of-the-art of the next generation network, through intelligent infrastructure investments and solutions that add value — wireless subscriber growth keeps experiencing a robust expansion.
According to a report from the international market research firm, Infonetics — which specializes in data networking and telecom — strong growth is expected to continue in mobile subscribers, primarily driven by basic voice service needs in BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China). In India for example, the growth in wireless subscribers is fueling explosive growth in demand for new phones. This particular market has emerged as the second-largest market in the world after China for mobile handsets in terms of unit shipments. It is estimated that in 2011, more than 10 percent of the global mobile device unit shipments will be to India. The penetration rate remains also high for Brazil and Russia.
Globally, the penetration of mobile phones is projected to rise to 50% in 2008 against 12% in 2000.
The Campbell, CA-based research firm expects the number of worldwide mobile subscribers to reach 5.2 billion by 2011. It also projects the cellular mobile broadband subscriber base to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 104 percent between 2007 – 2011 period.
This steady growth is based on the latest market trends which is influencing customers to migrate from older airlink technology.
WiMAX technology notes the report, which has a head cheerleader, with Intel (INTC) supporting it – is also emerging as both a 3G mobile and a broadband wireline alternative. Since we mentioned third-generation, according to In-Stat, 3G/4G subscriptions will also grow in a very healthy manner.
Over the course of last year for example, 3G/4G subscriptions grew 94%. In 2008 there are forecasts of an increase of 47.5% in subscriptions, bringing 3G/4G subscriptions to over 400 million worldwide. By the end of 2012, 3G/4G subscriptions are expected to rise to 1.4 billion. (In-Stat defines WCDMA/HSPA, EV-DO, TD-SCDMA, Mobile WiMAX, and LTE as 3G-4G technologies).
As the number of new subscriber additions continues at a torrid pace and high-speed wireless becomes commonplace, innovation of new technologies and the perfection of existing ones, will bring a sophisticated yet more efficient wireless broadband world.
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