According to new findings from Informa, the global wireless market now claims 1.8 billion subscribers, representing worldwide market penetration of 28 percent. That means there are still approximately 4 billion potential wireless users in the world. The researcher predicts that global mobile growth will shift to the developing world, as much of North America, Europe, and Japan is either saturated or fast-approaching saturation. Italy, the UK, Sweden and Hong Kong have already exceeded 100 percent market penetration, and other markets that could follow this year include Austria, Denmark, Ireland, and Portugal.
The Chinese wireless mobile market, which topped 400 million subscribers in March, is expected to grow by 65 percent through 2010. Indonesia will exceed 50 million subscriptions by 2007. Another growth market, Russia, is expected to account for 43 percent of net subscriber additions in Central and Eastern Europe in the next five years. The four-largest wireless growth markets are the so-called BRIC countries: Brazil, Russia, India, and China.
For more on Informa's global market findings:
- check out this summary and this chart
