There will be more than one billion 3G mobile phone users by 2010, according to new research from Strategy Analytics.
The
Worldwide Cellular User Forecasts 2006-2011 reveals that 3G technologies are already on target to reach 167 million users by the end of 2006.
In addition, Strategy Analytics predicts that 3G users will account for over half of all mobile phone service revenues by 2010, despite the fact that 3G users account for just one-third of a 3 billion user wireless market.
Phil Kendall, director, Global Wireless Practice, said: “Having passed the 100 million subscriber mark in early June 2006, the 3G market will now enjoy a period of sustained growth. Verizon Wireless is driving a real surge in 3G demand in the US, while China and India will start 3G services next year.
“With Indonesian 3G services already live, and more of the world’s major population centres, such as Brazil, Pakistan and Russia, coming online later in the decade, by 2009, we will see more than one quarter of a billion subscribers being added to 3G networks each year.”
David Kerr, vice president, Global Wireless Practice, added: “3G still has its detractors, but it is starting to make a significant contribution to the wireless market place. Even in emerging markets it will generate more than one quarter of service revenues by the end of this decade, providing an important source of ARPU uplift as more and more marginal users enter the market.”
The recent Communications Market report from Ofcom said that 3G mobile services became available to over 90% of the population in 2005 (see UK Communications Retail Revenue Reaches £50 Billion In 2005).
Meanwhile a report from Magna Global earlier in the year predicted that the number of 3G phone users watching video worldwide will exceed 500 million by 2009 (see Mobile Phone Advertising To Increase).
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