GSM Covers 95% of the Planet

The GSM Association, the representative body for the global wireless industry, says that it's global growth was continuing and that some 95% of world's countries have now adopted GSM mobile technology. The latest list of new members brings a further 57 wireless operators and companies within the Association's global representation. The Association says that there are now just eight major countries around the world that have not chosen GSM, Colombia, Djibouti, Ecuador, Eritrea, Haiti, Iraq, Uruguay and Zaire.

It is odd that the GSM Association would say that Iraq doesn't have GSM coverage, as it does in the North, in the city of As Sulaymaniyah - with plans for a further system in Baghdad being planned. Djibouti also has an Alcatel supplied network under construction.

Rob Conway, CEO of the GSM Association, said: "We are delighted to welcome the new members that have joined the Association in the last six months. Our growing membership base demonstrates that there are still great opportunities for network operators and the GSM family.'"

Posted to the site on 17th October 2002