According to a new report by Pyramid Research, the global mobile market will add 1 billion new subscribers to the current 2.8 billion base over the next three years. But these next billion subscribers might come from unexpected markets.
Pyramid's latest report highlights concludes that 87% of the next billion mobile subscribers will come from emerging economies, with India adding the most new subscribers. But, while India and China are the largest markets in terms of growth, they represent only 35% of the next billion mobile users. And of the 30 fastest-growing markets, 10 are in Africa and the Middle East. Also 71% of the next billion subscribers will come from parts of the world with urbanization levels below 50%.
The report highlights some factors carriers should consider: By 2010, 74% of mobile subscribers will live in emerging economies, and while they will only contribute 40% of global revenue - due to lower average revenue per user - they are among the most profitable given the lower cost of serving them and that mobile networks will be the access points to broadband services in many of these markets.