Subscriptions of third generation (3G) mobile telephone services in the Aisa-Pacific region are predicted to rise by over 130 million in the next four years, according market intelligence firm, IDC.
3G services, which provide high-speed data capabilities and advanced audio and video applications, are estimated to enjoy substantial growth, jumping to 142.6 million subscribers in 2009, from just 10.2 million in 2004.
China is revealed to account for over 70% of the increase, with 3G penetration going from zero to almost 98 million. The 3G markets in Taiwan, Singapore and India are also starting from zero. Currently South Korea, Australia and Hong Kong, along with Japan, are the only countries with 3G networks in the Asia-Pacific region.
Although China looks set to surpass these countries by 2009 in the total number of 3G subscribers, its 3G-penetration rate will not be as high due to its high population. South Korea is predicted to lead the list with 65% penetration, followed by Hong Kong, Australia, Singapore and Taiwan.
According to IC, one major advantage of 3G to providers is the opportunity to achieve higher average revenue per user (ARPU). In South Korea, the ARPU of 3G mobile data users is double that of their 2G counterparts.
High-tech market research firm, In-Stat, noted in a recent report that the 3G-subscriber base is lagging not only in Asia, but also pretty much everywhere else outside Japan and South Korea.
However, the Wireless World Forum recently forecast subscriptions to 3G technologies in 2005 to nearly double, rising to 85 million from 45 million in 2004 (see Global 3G Subscribers To Double to 85 Million In 2005).
Research published last year by In-Stat estimated subscribers of world-wide mobile phones would hit 2.5 billion by 2009 (see Growth Returns To Mobile Phone Market). Services such as wideband code-division access, one of the main technologies for the implementation of 3G cellular systems, are predicted to experience robust expansion by 2008.
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