3G worth USD74bn in emerging markets this year

INTERNET

A new report by Visiongain says 3G service revenues in emerging markets will reach USD74.5 billion in 2012.

The report says although 3G has become a mature technology in many developed economies, it is currently driving the mobile broadband uptake in many emerging markets.

Led by the BRIC nations, 3G technology is being widely supported by governments in a bid to bridge the mobile divide between emerging and developed countries, says the report. It says 3G connectivity is also a boon for emerging markets, where low tele-density and internet penetration means that many potential end-users will look to mobile networks to get online.

The increasing availability of low-cost smartphones and tablets will increasingly enable underserved fixed line communication areas to adopt data services such as 3G. Furthermore, improvements in telecommunication services provide a strong economic stimulus to emerging markets, thereby furthering national development.

The coming 2012-2017 period will see strong growth in subscriber numbers and operator revenues as many emerging markets finalise their 3G network deployment and aim to tackle full-scale national coverage. Visiongain says the greater availability of 3G networks will also offer significant opportunities for the development of mobile applications and services, such as mobile commerce and health, among others.