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Published: 26 May, 2009
READ MORE: Africa & Middle East
As the global uptake of 3G gathers pace, two regions noticeably lag behind - the traditionally underdeveloped cellular markets of Africa and South America. According to WiDAR estimates the two continents each had a total 3G subscriber level of just over 5 million at the end of 2008.
3G subscribers in Africa and South America Q4 2008
The chart shows the top countries by 3G subscriber for the two regions combined. It shows four countries currently dominating the 3G landscape in these regions. South Africa, the largest 3G market, is also the most mature. MTN and Vodacom both launched WCDMA services as far back as 2005.
Second placed Brazil has only recently joined the 3G club, with UMTS 3G services having been operational for just over a year. Uptake has been promising in such a short space of time and Brazil will soon overtake South Africa in 3G subscriber numbers.
Venezuela has a uniquely developed cellular market and its 3G subscriber level is estimated based on its long-established CDMA EV-DO services from Movilnet and Movistar. However, the country is currently migrating from CDMA to GSM and Movilnet is planning to launch a UMTS service this year. In Brazil, Vivo launched a UMTS service in August 2008, whilst having an existing EV-DO service. Since then over half the EV-DO customers have migrated to UMTS.
3G subscribers are set to increase strongly in the near future on these two continents, as the experience of Brazil indicates. Orascom and Orange's JV Mobinil, Egypt's largest operator, launched 3G services last November, whilst in February of this year Zain launched the first UMTS service in Africa's largest market, Nigeria.
Recent WiDAR activity:
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