Growth Rate of Global GSM Subscribers to slow in 2008

15 Apr 2008

The increased migration of GSM subscribers to UMTS 3G technologies leads to a slower growth rate in 2008. Compared to 2006/7 rates are expected to depreciate about 8% to the benefit of UMTS technologies, recorded a nearly 83% year-on-year growth rate in 2006/7.

According to ABI research, global GSM subscriber numbers are expected to decrease till 2013 to the advantage of the cheaper 3G services. Among GSM subscribers, EDGE is said to maintain a high growth rate; and GSM is still the most successful of all mobile technologies keeping 70% of global market share in 2013.