GSM Continues To Dominate Subscriber Numbers

The GSM Association expects GSM subscribers to pass the 1 billion mark in 2003. At the end of 2002 there were 787 million GSM subscribers across 190 countries. The US market is sure to help contribute to that growth. Currently 80 percent of operators use GSM and 70 percent of worldwide cellular subscribers are GSM users. Say what you will about GSM's 3G transition, the technology has massive momentum. While CDMA is clearly the superior technology, especially for data, the market seems to be saying it cares more about voice quality, global coverage and handset variety. Of course it doesn't hurt that people don't have much of a choice in Europe. It will be interesting to see how GSM grows in the US where people have a choice between CDMA and GSM.

Filed Under: 2g