Mobile broadband users near 100 million; GSMA expects total number of mobile connections to hit 6 billion by 2013.
Global mobile connections have now reached the 4 billion mark, announced the GSMA Wednesday.
And, citing statistics from Wireless Intelligence, the industry body predicted that the world will hit six billion connections by 2013.
The GSMA said the growth is primarily being driven by the integration of mobile technology into previously unconnected devices, and subscriber additions in emerging markets.
Mobile broadband connections account for 100 million of the 4 billion connections, as the uptake of 3G dongles and mobile broadband-enabled laptops has accelerated.
In August the GSMA reported that the number of HSPA mobile broadband connections stood at 50 million.
However, it is difficult to calculate the exact number of mobile users worldwide, since many consumers in mature have more than one handset, while consumers in emerging markets often share devices.
The GSMA also said Wednesday that innovations in mobile technology can help drive productivity in a slowing economy.
"As we enter 2009, the world is in the midst of a broad economic slowdown, one that is impacting every facet of business, every link in the communications value chain," said Michael O'Hara, chief marketing officer at the GSMA, in a statement.
"Industry initiatives in the areas of mobile broadband, mobile lifestyle and mobile planet will help drive this innovation and growth despite the challenges of the global economic downturn," he said.
The announcement was made ahead of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, which is run by the GSMA.
"Mobile phones have evolved to become broadband-enabled multimedia devices that connect mass markets in mature and emerging markets alike," said O'Hara.
"Mobile World Congress will showcase how the industry will continue to push the boundaries into the mobile future," he said.
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