LONDON-The number of worldwide wireless subscriber connections is expected to reach the 2 billion mark Sept. 18, according to estimates from Wireless Intelligence, a venture between Ovum and the GSM Association.
“The total number of mobile connections is now equivalent to nearly a third of the estimated world population of 6.5 billion,” said Martin Garner, director of Wireless Intelligence. “And although total connections are higher than the real number of users due to multiple connections, or inactive prepaid connections, this is still a significant landmark for the industry.”
The wireless industry reached 1 billion subscribers in 2002, said Wireless Intelligence.
The firm noted many markets, including Sweden, Italy, Austria and the United Kingdom, now are maturing with penetration at greater than 100 percent. Meanwhile, the majority of new growth is coming from markets like China, India, Eastern Europe, Latin America and Africa. Ovum said it expects the industry to reach 3 billion subscribers by the end of 2010.
