Mobile Subscribers to Hit 5.2B in 2011

(Top News, 7 Aug 2008)

The number of mobile subscribers jumped 31 percent in 2007 over 2006, while access line subscribers declined 5 percent, according to market research firm Infonetics Research. There were three times more mobile subscribers than access line subscribers worldwide in 2007 (3.3 billion vs. 1.1 billion). Infonetics Research expects continued strong growth in mobile subscribers, mainly driven by basic voice service needs in BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China).

"Subscribers in Brazil, Russia, and later this year China, are migrating to 3G, which in turn will lead to a 2G and 2.5G to 3G subscriber migration process in 2008. However, current GSM deployment patterns remain unabated, with double-digit GSM subscriber growth rates being common in BRIC countries," says Stéphane Téral, principal analyst at Infonetics Research.

Other highlights from the report include:
- The number of worldwide mobile subscribers will reach 5.2 billion by 2011

- Cellular mobile broadband subscribers are forecast to grow at a 104 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2007 to 2011

- By 2011, there will be about one cellular mobile broadband subscriber for every four wireline broadband subscribers

- Access lines are declining and broadband penetration is increasing, fueling VoIP subscriber penetration

- Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) is the only region in which the number of access lines is expected to grow

- WiMAX is emerging as both a 3G mobile and a broadband wireline alternative

Click here for more information on Infonetics Research