BOSTON, June 9 (UPI) -- More than 100 million people worldwide currently subscribe to third-generation network mobile phones, a survey found.
According to Boston-based Strategy Analytics, demand for 3G phones continues to grow faster than that of global system for mobile communication networks in the early 1990s.
"Much of this success is due to the strong pushes by influential carriers like NTT DoCoMo, Hutchison 3G and SK Telecom, and more recently Vodafone and Verizon Wireless, who have worked hard to drive 3G uptake among their subscribers," said Sara Harris, senior industry analyst at the research group.
"Western Europe has overtaken Japan as 3G leader over the first half of 2006. However, the U.S. market is set to grow rapidly in 2007, when Cingular rolls-out its HSDPA coverage in an attempt to catch up to the first mover advantages enjoyed by Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel," said David Kerr, vice president of the global wireless practice at Strategy Analytics.
