Abstract
Summary
Cellular subscriptions (contracts, not individuals) continue to grow at a fast rate, but that rate is beginning to slow worldwide. Still some regions and countries are bucking the trend. In addition to subscription growth, the mix of technologies used in each region is rapidly changing. For example, in Western Europe, the number of new subscribers using WCDMA and HSPA technology is quite impressive.
Subscriptions are being fueled by incredible growth in India, China, and Africa, but the growth in developed countries is definitely leveling out. When the world is viewed as a whole, the growth in developing areas is what stands out as driving the worldwide total. When all is taken together, the number of subscriptions in 2007 grew by 667.6 million over 2006, but 2008 is forecast to only grow by 382.5 million over 2007. Some of the slowing is caused by saturation in some areas, but another aspect is the relatively sluggish world economy. By 2012, the yearly growth in subscribers is expected to decrease to only 163 million per year, roughly twice the population increase projected in that year.
This report contains cellular subscription numbers by region and technology for 2006 and 2007, and contains forecast information through 2012.
Table of Contents
- Technology Definitions
- Methodology
- Worldwide Cellular Subscription Highlights
- North America Cellular Subscriptions (in Thousands)
- Asia/Pacific Cellular Subscriptions (in Thousands)
- Eastern European Cellular Subscriptions (in Thousands)
- Western European Cellular Subscriptions (in Thousands)
- Latin, South America, Caribbean Cellular Subscriptions (in Thousands)
- Middle Eastern and Africa Cellular Subscriptions (in Thousands)
- Worldwide Cellular Subscriptions (in Thousands)
