BOSTON—More than 100 million people worldwide now use W-CDMA and CDMA2000 1x EV-DO third-generation technology on their cell phones, according to ongoing research by Strategy Analytics.
After reaching the 100 million milestone early this month, the firm said the number should grow to 106 million 3G users by the end of this quarter. Strategy Analytics said the world’s 3G subscriber base is growing more quickly than the GSM subscriber base grew in the early 1990s.
“Reaching the 100 million subscriber mark is a significant milestone for 3G, proving that it is finally beginning to come into its own,” said Sara Harris, senior industry analyst at Strategy Analytics and author of the report. “Much of this success is due to the strong pushes by influential carriers like NTT DoCoMo, Hutchison 3G and SK Telecom, and more recently Vodafone and Verizon Wireless, who have worked hard to drive 3G uptake among their subscribers.”
The report also found that Western Europe surpassed Japan in terms of 3G subscribers during the first half of this year. It further predicts the U.S. market will see strong growth next year when the nation’s largest carrier, Cingular Wireless L.L.C., rolls out HSDPA service.
