3G adoption outpaces older networks

2005 will be the year that 3G affirms its position as a serious communication technology, delegates at the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes today.

3G adoption is now growing faster than 2 and 2.5G networks did the same point of evolution, according to Rob Conway, chief executive of trade body the GSM Association (GSMA).

Global 3G users are approaching the 20 million mark, compared to 16 million subscribers at the same point of growth in the existing GSM networks.

And this increased adoption has been achieved despite the fact that just 31 countries are currently served by 3G networks.

'This is the year when we will clearly dispel any questions about the spread of 3G,' Conway said.

Conway says the GSMA will work with the industry to 'essentially drive 3G adoption' by establishing new levels of messaging interoperability and standardisation, providing a rich choice of multimedia offerings, and by targeting emerging markets.

It is already working with operators to establish common interoperability standards between networks using an integration 'hub' to provide seamless messaging capabilities between users, regardless of operator affiliation.

It is also developing single network agreements between operators and carriers intended to build service quality standards into 3G-based multimedia offerings, which will allow rich-content datato be shared with, and re-used on, other devices such as PCs.

Ultimately, the GSMA wants to increase the number of legacy - as well as 3GSM mobile subscriptions - from its current 181 million to 321 million.

And Conway says it will target greater penetration of emerging markets with a new ultra low-cost terminal initiative, to provide sub-$30 handsets for legacy GSM networks.

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