GSM / 3G Wireless Network Update

US : GSA says GSM Energized by New Growth markets; adding 1 million new subscribers every day

The GSM/3G Network Update published today by GSA - the Global mobile Suppliers Association, confirms that GSM's position as the global mobile system is strengthening. The number of GSM subscribers surged 234.7 million in the first 8 months of 2005 and now exceeds 1.5 billion worldwide.

GSM is currently adding one million subscribers every day. GSM market share has increased in 2005 from 74.7% to 76.8%, and now accounts for over 88% of current net additions. Drivers are the new growth markets - especially Africa, India, Latin America and Asia, where GSM is efficiently supporting operators in opening new market segments. There are approaching 1700 models of GSM phones in the market.

The GSM/3G Network Update also shows that the shift to GSM/3G with WCDMA and EDGE is firmly established, with WCDMA clearly the leading 3G technology globally. Citing its own survey data, GSA confirms that the number of 3G/WCDMA networks delivering commercial services is now 82 networks in 37 countries, an increase of 22 networks during 2005. A further 7 networks are at the pre-commercial stage, which means that over 60% of the total of 146 WCDMA license holders globally have launched commercial 3G services, or are very near to doing so. There were 32.22 million WCDMA subscribers globally at 31 August 2005.

GSA identifies 48 mobile operators who are deploying combined EDGE-WCDMA networks. There are 153 network operators in 85 countries committed to the EDGE upgrade (compared to 106 networks in 64 countries 12 months ago), and 96 networks have launched commercial EDGE-enabled services in 60 countries.

More Key Facts from the GSM/3G Network Update - September 2005:

670 GSM networks commercially operational in 200 countries/territories
subscriber growth numbers and trends by regions(GSM and WCDMA subscribers data provided by Informa Telecoms & Media)
186 WCDMA/HSPA terminal devices announced in the market
143 GSM/EDGE-enabled terminal devices announced in the market

For the latest comprehensive facts and data, download your copy of GSM/3G Network Update - September 2005

The GSA website is the one-stop place for the mobile industry for registered site users to obtain the latest information and statistics covering GSM, EDGE, WCDMA and HSDPA market development and technology deployments.