December 17, 2004: The total number of GSM subscribers in Brazil has overtaken the CDMA subscriber base in Brazil.

GSM continues to be the fastest growing technology in Brazil. In 2004 to 30 November, the digital mobile cellular market in Brazil expanded to 60.8 million subscribers, from 45.8 million at end 2003, according to information released by Anatel. The number of GSM subscribers grew in this period from 6.85 million to 18.75 million, while CDMA grew by 4.15 million to 18.15 million. The number of customers on the older TDMA systems declined by almost 1 million in the same period.

Commenting on the figures, Alan Hadden, President, GSA said: "There is no stopping GSM. Having entered the Brazilian market later than its competitors, GSM is the system and service of choice for businesses and consumers who are benefiting from open standards, massive economies of scale resulting from GSM being the world digital system, automatic international roaming, excellent variety and quality of services. With an estimated world-wide GSM subscriber base of over 1.2 billion, the GSM success story has firmly arrived in Brazil."

Brazil digital mobile subscriber growth
Click to enlarge image.

GSA calculates that so far in 2004, GSM captured 79% market growth in 2004 in Brazil, which is in line with global trends.

The introduction of GPRS/EDGE capabilities onto GSM networks, enabling enhanced data services and increasing capacity, is delivering important revenue growth and competitive differentiation in Brazil and globally.

About GSA

GSA, the Global mobile Suppliers Association, is the forum for, and represents, the leading GSM/3G suppliers world-wide. It is an organization created to meet suppliers’ needs and already represents over 80% of GSM/3G market share globally. Membership is open to all suppliers of GSM/3G systems, devices, services, applications and solutions from across the entire supply chain.

GSA Objectives:
- To strengthen the promotion of GSM/EDGE/WCDMA world-wide in new and existing markets
- To promote the evolution of GSM as the platform for delivery of third generation (3G) multimedia services

The GSA Executive Committee in 2004 comprises of the leading GSM/EDGE/WCDMA suppliers - Alcatel, Ericsson, Lucent Technologies, Nokia and Siemens.

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