150% jump in 3G/WCDMA devices in the market

January 10, 2006

According to a new survey by GSA - the Global mobile Suppliers Association, dozens of manufacturers globally are launching new 3G/WCDMA devices to market in record numbers. The GSA survey - 3G/WCDMA Model Variety and Availability - confirms that 272 WCDMA user devices (handsets, PC datacards, etc.) have launched in the market to January 6, 2006. This compares with 108 products one year ago, i.e. growth of over 150%. A total of 93 devices have been launched since mid-2005, confirming over 50% growth in the last 6 months.

The number of suppliers who have launched WCDMA products has almost doubled in 12 months, from 20 to 37 today.

80% of WCDMA devices in the market today are targeted for the global 3G market, compared to 73% six months ago, the remainder being focused on the FOMA market in Japan. The survey identifies several FOMA devices that are also compatible with WCDMA/GSM/GPRS networks worldwide to support international roaming.

This latest figure of 272 WCDMA devices includes 14 products which support HSDPA for high speed wireless broadband applications. WCDMA/HSDPA operators also emphasise the importance of GSM/EDGE for service continuity, and the number of devices that support WCDMA and GSM/EDGE has climbed to 31.

The pace of 3G commercialisation globally is fuelled by WCDMA. GSA reported last month that 100 3G/WCDMA networks had launched commercial services in 42 countries, underlining WCDMA as the leading 3G mobile communications system. The number of WCDMA subscribers passed 40 million in November 2005, an increase of 140% since end 2004, and is shortly expected to pass the 50 million milestone.