Global HSPA connections have passed the 200 million milestone, according to the GSMA. HSPA connections have seen phenomenal growth in all markets since 2007, and this is set to continue in 2010 with the investment operators will make in Mobile Broadband technology. There are currently more than 1,800 HSPA enabled devices available from more than 150 suppliers. Across 123 countries, there are currently 294 commercially live networks, of which 183 currently deliver peak data rates of above 3.6 Mbps, and 37 commercially live HSPA+ networks, each capable of delivering data speeds up to 21 Mbps.
The GSMA expects this growth rate to accelerate this year. According to industry research firm Wireless Intelligence, the industry will grow from an average of around nine million new connections per month as of the end of 2009, to almost 13 million per month. Of the total estimated 342 million connections at the end of 2010, Europe will lead the way with 120 million connections, becoming the number one region for HSPA connections, with Asia Pacific accounting for 116 million and North America 58 million.
The rapid growth in mobile broadband is spurring mobile operators to accelerate deployment plans. Based on studies by Deutsche Bank, the GSMA now estimates that carriers around the world will invest up to $72 billion in mobile broadband technologies in 2010.
Asia Pacific will see the greatest investment in Mobile Broadband with predicted capital expenditure of up to $34 billion. North America follows with up to $19 billion, with Europe expected to invest up to $14 billion. Mobile Broadband is set to account for 52 per cent of all operator investment in mobile infrastructure globally. Of all the regions, North America will spend the greatest percentage — 80 per cent — of its total mobile CAPEX investment on mobile broadband.
“The forecasted investment in Mobile Broadband technologies reflects the importance the mobile industry places on enabling consumers to access any type of content on the move — whatever they want, whenever they want, wherever they want,” said Michael O’Hara, Chief Marketing Officer at the GSMA. “HSPA and HSPA+ have become the dominant global Mobile Broadband technologies and are set to benefit from a significant proportion of this CAPEX investment, resulting in faster and more reliable Mobile Broadband services being available to more subscribers around the world by the end of this year.”http://www.gsmworld.com
