Assoc: GSM Technology Now 56.5% of LatAm Mobile Market

GSM technology now accounts for more than 150 million mobile telephony users in Latin America, or 56.5% of the market, according to the GSM Association.

Figures for May 2006 indicated the Latin American market experienced 87.3% growth year over year, with 78.7 million new subscribers signing up in the preceding 12 months.

The increasing extension of GSM technology in the region is due to the volume of investment made by the operators, accoding to the association GSM Latin America.

"The investments made by operators represent some 2.5% of total investments in the region and are responsible for 1.14% of the region's GDP. These companies generate nearly 2.3 million direct or indirect jobs in the industry," Juan Carlos Jil, executive director of the GSM Association in Latin America said.

GSM industry association 3G Americas expects the GSM mobile base to grow 50% this year to 180 million compared to 2005.

According to 3G Americas, GSM accounts for 52% of users in Brazil, 59% in Mexico, 74% in Colombia, 56% in Argentina and 53% in Chile. On the other hand, in Venezuela, the fifth largest mobile market in the region, only 15% are GSM users.

BNAmericas.com"

Posted to the site on 26th June 2006