A number of emerging nations are highlighted in analyst Chetan Sharma’s telecommunications predictions, released earlier this month. Brazil takes fifth place in total number of subscribers, while Mexico takes the 10th spot. China leads in the number of subscribers, but the U.S. dominates in both total and data revenue. In total revenue, Brazil’s in fourth place, and in terms of data revenue, Brazil takes the ninth position. Mexico does not appear in the top 10 either in total nor in data revenues. No Latin America country is in the top 10 in terms of subscriber penetration, average revenue per user or data usage.
Sharma’s survey notes that the global mobile industry revenue is expected to touch approximately US$ 1.3 trillion in 2011, with mobile data representing 24% of the mix. Mobile is approximately 2% of global GDP.
The consultant firm expects the total number of subscriptions to exceed 6 billion by the end of 2011. “The first 1 billion took over 20 years and this last one is going to take only 15 months,”, the report said. Primary growth drivers are India and China, which are cumulatively adding 75 million new subs every quarter.
In terms of biggest telecom groups, China Mobile leads in subscribers number, followed by Vodafone, Telefónica and América Móvil. When the survey analysed data revenue Verizon Wireless led the ranking (Telefonica is in ninth and América Móvil isn’t in top 10).
GlobalIn Q1 2011, the United States became the first major market to exceed the 50% mark in smartphone sales. The global figure stands at approximately 26%. Some operators expect 90% of their devices sales to be smartphones by the end of the year. Japan continues to be the leader in mobile data with NTT DoCoMo, KDDI, and Softbank Japan ahead of the pack in terms of mobile data revenue and data as a percentage of total ARPU.
In 2011, it became the first major market to have more than 50% of its mobile revenue from data services. While India has the highest subscriber growth rate in the world right now, the revenue generating opportunity remain down right anemic compared to other major markets with average dropping down to $3.50 in overall ARPU. “Even with significant subscriber base, there is going to be a general lack of opportunity in the market for the next couple of years relative to other markets,” said Chetan Sharma.
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