UMTS Broadband Mobile Technology Is a Reality - Confounding Many Expectations

The telcos are preparing for the fact that 3G will assume a greater role in mobile communication as it grows in importance. More than 80 commercial 3G networks have already been rolled out around the world. The technology is used by 47 million subscribers, and their number is rising fast. 3G penetration in Western Europe is set to grow to more than 60% by 2010 (chart 12). However, the individual countries show very different degrees of acceptance. Italy and the UK will boast the highest penetration rates, while Belgium and Greece will have the lowest. Germany and France will land just below the Western European average.