Following the financial chaos of 2001, 2002 was never going to be an easy year
for the cellular industry. Operators, vendors and investors used 2002 as an
opportunity to consolidate and focus on core strengths and competencies.
"There is renewed optimism in the industry, which will be carried through
to 2003 with a greater operator focus on consumer-end services and the marketing
thereof, particularly picture messaging and MMS," comments Michèle
Scanlon, Research Director, on EMC's latest research report, EMC World Cellular
Review 2003.
Although the slowdown in the industry continued, subscriber figures passed the
one billion milestone in May 2002, which is expected to reach 1.155 billion
at the end of 2002. World ARPU continued to decline and at Q3 2002 was hovering
above USD 31, while outgoing MOU remained stable at 110 minutes per month.
New industry achievements in 2002 reviewed in EMC World Cellular Review 2003:
- MMS services became a commercial reality, and had been deployed in all regions
by the end of 2002 with more than 75 networks launching MMS since March 2002.
- The reality of UMTS came a step closer in 2002 with the first European 3G
launches in Austria and Italy. This was accompanied by the announcement of
the first dual-mode GSM/W-CDMA handsets.
- The first EDGE handset was announced continuing the debate on the deployment
of EDGE with commitments reported from one European GSM-1800 operator.
A slowing global economy meant the numbers of new licences awarded were reduced
in 2002, compared with previous years. 3G licences accounted for 25% of new
licences awarded in 2002, 50% down on 3G licence awards of 2001. The decrease
in licence awards impacted the already depressed infrastructure market. The
number of infrastructure contracts announced in 2002 was 30% down on 2001.
Despite the gloomy scenario, investors strengthened their presence in existing
properties, although they did not expand their portfolios. Non-core properties
were divested with a preference for majority control and global and regional
branding opportunities.
EMC World Cellular Review 2003 is EMC's successful annual review of the industry
now in its third year. The 120-page report analyses activity of the top investors
in the industry, infrastructure contracts, handset developments, regional round
ups including licence awards, new network launches as well as the status of
mobile data deployments.
For further information, and to order the EMC World Cellular Review 2003, please
see: http://www.emc-database.com/website.nsf/index/WCR2003
EMC is the best independent single source for operational data and analysis
on the wireless industry. EMC has been researching and publishing market intelligence
on the wireless industry since 1985 and delivers an accurate and authoritative
source of data regularly referenced by industry associations, investors and
industry players. EMC's global analyst team conducts a primary research programme
based on direct contacts with 1,350 operators in 208 countries. All data collated,
including that publicly available, is audited and verified against EMC's independent
criteria to provide valid market indicators. EMC is part of the Informa Telecoms
Group.
Contact for further information:
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E-mail: mthomas@emc-database.com
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