After a slower start, the United States has caught up with Western Europe in the adoption of 3G, with 28.4% of American mobile subscribers having 3G devices versus 28.3% in the largest countries in Europe.
According to a new report from comScore, the number of US subscribers with 3G enabled devices has grown 80% to 64.2 million during the past year.
The market has responded enthusiastically as mobile vendors have rolled out their enhanced networks and a new crop of 3G enabled devices. The only individual major European countries exceeding the US in 3G penetration are Italy and Spain.
Mark Donovan, senior vice president and senior analyst, comScore, said: “For years, the American mobile industry has aspired to the level of sophistication of the European market.
“Today, Americans have finally caught up with Europeans in adoption of 3G. The advancements in 3G network technology and the introduction of sleek devices into the US market have paid off as adoption of mobile media continues to grow at a rapid pace.”
| Percent of Subscribers with 3G Devices |
| 3-Month Average Ending June 2008 and June 2007 |
| Source: comScore MobiLens |
| |
Penetration Jun-07 |
Penetration Jun-08 |
Point Change June 07 v June 08 |
| Germany |
15.1% |
23.9% |
8.1 |
| Spain |
22.5% |
37.2% |
14.7 |
| France |
12.6% |
17.1% |
4.5 |
| Italy |
32.1% |
38.3% |
6.2 |
| UK |
19.9% |
27.6% |
7.7 |
| European Total (Five countries) |
20.3% |
28.3% |
8.0 |
| US |
16.7% |
28.4% |
11.7 |
At the end of 2007, In-Stat forecast that 3G handsets will continue strong growth over the next five years as second-generation technology wanes (see Strong Growth Forecast For 3G Handsets).
Meanwhile, according to a report from Bango, mobile web usage in the US will soon surpass the UK (see US Mobile Web Usage To Overtake UK).
The top five countries accessing the mobile web via Bango in July 2008 were the UK at 19.35%, the US at 18.88%, India at 10.82%, South Africa at 8.82% and Indonesia at 4.08%.
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