Mobile market on course for meteoric growth

A new market study from Portio Research predicts that 50% of the world's population will be using a mobile phone by the end of 2009 and Africa now boasts the fastest growth rate in the world, forecast to add 265 million new mobile subscribers over the next six years. The report, 'Worldwide Mobile Market Forecasts 2006 - 2011' provides a comprehensive analysis of worldwide mobile markets, growth forecasts and network operator market shares.

Among the top 25 growth markets ranking list (2006-2011) there are a few surprises. India wins the top spot, just ahead of China and almost equally in 3rd place are Brazil, Indonesia and Nigeria, but the real surprises start in 6th place with the US mobile market tipped to grow by almost 66 million net additions from the start of 2006 to the end of 2011.

This puts volume growth in the US ahead of fast developing markets such as Pakistan, Mexico and the Ukraine. Russia is positioned lower than some may expect, in 11th place, below Iran and Bangladesh, while Japan appears in 18th place, with a predicted 14 million net subscriber additions by 2011, surprisingly placing above South Africa and Venezuela.

'Worldwide Mobile Market Forecasts 2006 - 2011' also provides a Worldwide 3G summary with a snapshot of the progress of 3G adoption across the world to date and predictions for future growth. While Western Europe and the US will see 50%+ subscriber penetration of 3G by 2011, the Asia Pacific region will see only 35%, albeit with 1.06 billion subscribers by 2011, making this the largest regional 3G market in the world.

For further information or to purchase a copy of this report send an e-mail to: or call +44 (0)7909 957360.