CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom-Continued delays in the launch of third-generation services in Western Europe could boost opportunities for GPRS technology, according to new research from U.K.-based consultancy Analysys.
Analysys expects revenue from GPRS subscribers to be $17.6 billion in 2003 and to grow to $85.5 billion in 2006, before it begins to decline as customers upgrade to UMTS networks. Meanwhile, the research firm expects the total number of 3G subscribers across Western Europe to be just 1.3 million at the end of 2003, with Hutchison 3G, Manx Telecom and Mobilkom Austria having launched 3G services.
“We expect to see a noticeable shift from GPRS to UMTS beginning in 2006,” further explained Katrina Bond, co-author of the report. “By 2008, 61 percent (204 million) of Western European mobile subscribers will be using a 3G device, and UMTS will be the dominant mobile technology as customers using 3G will generate revenues of around $96 billion.”
