GSMA estimates the number of worldwide subscribers using Mobile Broadband (HSPA)
networks has topped the 50 million mark from 11 million one year ago. Global
uptake of HSPA technology among consumers and businesses is accelerating,
indicating continued traffic growth for high-speed mobile networks worldwide.
Wireless Intelligence expects the number of HSPA connections to be growing by 4
million per month by the end of 2008.
The number of operators with commercial HSPA networks has reached 191 and
there are now over 740 HSPA-enabled devices (including mobiles, dongles and
notebooks) available from 116 manufacturers.
The most widely-deployed peak data speeds over HSPA are currently between
3.6Mbps and 7.2Mbps. This translates to an end user speed of more than 1Mbps,
comparable to many of today's fixed line broadband services.
The HSPA subscriber figures were calculated by analyst group Wireless
Intelligence. A live counter of Mobile Broadband connections around the world
can be seen on the GSMA's dedicated website: hspa.gsmworld.com.