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Subscribers flock to 3G

Subscribers have been flocking to 3G/WCDMA networks and GSM/EDGE networks. Network growth and the availability of devices have been crucial for this growth, but services, in particular enterprise services, have also played a significant role.

August 05, 2005

The number of 3G/WCDMA subscribers jumped 46 per cent in the first four months of 2005, according to a recent survey by the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA). This was due, in part, to the increase in networks worldwide. By June of this year, there were 74 WCDMA networks offering commercial services in 34 countries, compared to 60 networks in 20 countries at the start of the year.

 

Another contributing factor has been the variety and availability of WCDMA devices. GSA identified 166 WCDMA models on the market with 58 of them introduced this year alone, including the first High-Speed Data Packet Access (HSDPA) device. Finally, competitive service offerings and maturing technologies have also helped drive the 3G/WCDMA uptake.

 

Alan Hadden, president of the GSA, says: "The evolution to 3G is well established. One of the major drivers for growth has been the availability of devices. Another has been the improved connectivity to the business environment. The ability to access the corporate- internet and virtual private networks, flat-rate packages from operators, and high-speed connectivity are appreciated in the business environment."

 

Along side 3G growth, GSM/EDGE deployments are also gathering pace. There are currently 84 commercial EDGE networks in 52 countries with more than 141 operators in 79 countries committed to EDGE network upgrades. Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean account for roughly two-thirds of this growth. Hadden says: "This means that more than half of the world's GPRS networks have, or are getting, EDGE upgrades."

 

Again, availability of EDGE-enabled devices has been a strong factor for the robust growth. During the past year, there has been a 100 per cent increase in EDGE-enabled devices on the market, which now stands at 179, and this number is expected to increase as more manufacturers enter the market.

 

Many operators are making the transition to 3G via EDGE. Worldwide, 42 operators are combining WCDMA and EDGE networks to offer service continuity, flexibility and efficiencies for advanced mobile multimedia services.

 

Some of the main reasons behind this transition are lower cost of services delivery, improved spectral efficiency (increased capacity), the ability to offer advanced services to customers and increased revenue.