Fueled by rapid growth in China, India, and Africa, worldwide cellular subscriptions continued to expand rapidly in 2007, reports In-Stat (http://www.in-stat.com). Due to some areas approaching saturation and a relatively slow world economy, subscription growth in 2008 is expected to be much less, the high-tech market research firm says.

“India and China subscription numbers are growing at a fast clip, as more of the population gets their first cell phone, and often their first phone of any kind,” says Allen Nogee, In-Stat analyst. “Most of these phones are low-end GSM phones, but even some of these phones are starting to incorporate more high-end features.”

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

• The number of worldwide cellular subscriptions in 2007 grew by 667.6 million over 2006.
• 2008 subscription growth is forecast to be only 382.5 million more than 2007’s growth.
• By 2012, yearly growth in subscribers is expected to decrease to only 163 million per year, roughly twice the population increase projected in that year.

The research,“Worldwide Cellular Subscriptions and 5-Year Forecast”(#IN0803981GW),covers the worldwide market for cellular communications subscriptions. It contains cellular subscription numbers by region and technology for 2006 and 2007, and forecasts through 2012.

For more information on this research or to purchase it online, please visit: http://www.instat.com/catalog/Wcatalogue.asp?id=29 or contact a sales representative: http://www.instat.com/sales.asp

The price is$1,995 (US).

About In-Stat

Technology vendors, service providers, technology professionals and market specialists, worldwide, rely on In-Stat’s experienced staff and in-depth research to support critical business, product and technology decisions. In-Stat’s insights are derived from both a deep technology understanding and comprehensive research, which examines each segment of the value chain for each market. Regular and ongoing end-user demand and primary research surveys underpin much of the analysis, enabling In-Stat to provide incisive market knowledge and guidance on future market opportunities via syndicated research products, custom consulting, and advisory services.

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