BOSTON-The Yankee Group said subscribers in the Asia-Pacific region will hit 575 million by 2005, surpassing Europe as the world’s leading mobile communications market. Starting from a low penetration level of 6.93 percent in 2000, the region will expand at a compounded annual growth rate of 20 percent during the next five years, increasing its wireless penetration to 15.6 percent, the firm said.
A report, titled “Asia-Pacific Wireless Market Overview 2000-2005,” provides forecasts of mobile-phone subscribers by technology on a country-by-country basis for 12 major markets in the Asia-Pacific region.
“Approximately 40 percent of the global wireless infrastructure spending from 2001 to 2005 will be generated in the region-in particular from Japan and China,” said Larry Wan, an analyst with the firm’s Wireless/Mobile Asia-Pacific research and consulting practice. The consulting group predicts GSM technology will continue to be the leading protocol (see chart).
