NEW DELHI, Dec. 17, 2006 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The CDMA Development Group (CDG) announced today that the total number of CDMA2000(r) subscribers in India reached 42.25 million, with 1.77 million new subscribers added during the month of November. Leading regional operators, Reliance Communications and Tata Teleservices, account for more than 26 million and 14 million subscribers respectively.
Globally, CDMA2000 added more than 25 million 3G subscribers in the third quarter ending September 2006, with the total base reaching 302 million. CDMA2000 1xEV-DO added 9 million new users, taking the total number to more than 45 million. CDMA2000 continues to be the dominant 3G technology and represents up to 75 percent of the entire 3G subscriber base worldwide.
"The CDG is pleased to see the rapid growth of CDMA2000 in India," said Perry LaForge, executive director of the CDG. "Consumers in both developed and emerging markets continue to respond favorably to the performance, value and economics of CDMA2000. As 3G spectrum in India becomes available, we expect subscriber growth to continue this upward trend. The introduction and availability of mobile broadband services will strengthen competition between carriers and spur Internet penetration."
A decision by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on 3G spectrum allocations is expected soon. The CDG welcomed TRAI's recommendation to assign and allocate 3G spectrum in the 450 MHz, 800 MHz and 2100 MHz frequency bands and to level the playing field. CDMA operators in India should be allowed to offer EV-DO services in their existing 800 MHz band since GSM operators are beginning to offer EDGE services, which is defined by the ITU as 3G. The CDG also welcomes studying the feasibility of releasing a portion of the 1900 MHz frequency band to CDMA operators and assigning them more channels in the 800 MHz frequency band to ensure adequate spectrum is available to accommodate high-bandwidth applications. These recommendations will maximize the efficient use of India's scarce spectral resources, promote technology and service neutrality, and begin leveling the playing field between 2G and 3G spectrum allocations.
Accelerating the availability of entry-level devices in India has been spearheaded by the CDMA community to promote further wireless penetration. Since the beginning of 2006, CDMA2000 handsets have accounted for as much as 60 percent of all entry-level handsets imported into India on a monthly basis. The CDG expects to see sub-$40 (wholesale) CDMA2000 handsets become commercially available in the Indian market soon.
CDMA2000 offers the largest selection of fixed and mobile devices to address the diverse needs of India's market segments. Introducing mobile broadband services will stimulate foreign investment, increase productivity, and help strengthen the economy. India's enterprises, small businesses, consumers and government will be the benefactors.
About CDMA
CDMA2000 is the most widely deployed 3G technology, with 186 operators in 80 countries, including 51 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO systems, serving more than 300 million subscribers. Counting 2G cdmaOne(tm) subscribers, there are more than 350 million CDMA users worldwide. CDMA2000 has become the technology of choice for cdmaOne, TDMA, analog and greenfield operators, and is deployed in the 450, 800, 1700, 1900 and 2100 MHz bands. More than 1,460 CDMA2000 devices from 86 suppliers have been introduced to the market, including 351 1xEV-DO devices. More information on CDMA2000 is available on the CDG Web site at www.cdg.org.
About CDG
The CDMA Development Group is a trade association formed to foster the worldwide development, implementation and use of CDMA2000 technologies. The more than 130 member companies of the CDG include many of the world's largest wireless carriers and equipment manufacturers. The primary activities of the CDG include development of CDMA2000 features and services, public relations, education and seminars, regulatory affairs and international support. Currently, there are more than 500 individuals working within various CDG subcommittees on CDMA2000-related matters. For more information about the CDG, contact the CDG News Bureau at +1-714-540-1030, or visit the CDG Web site at www.cdg.org.
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