Subscriber trends

US$32 Billion in Billings in 2009

Singapore, August 19, 2009 -- Southeast Asia's (SEA) mobile users are expected to hit 453.3 million subscribers by the close of this year, growing 18.4 percent over 2008. Billings are estimated to grow by 13.6 percent year-on-year to top US$32 billion by year-end.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, 2009 Southeast Asia Wireless Outlook, finds that the mobile subscriber base in the region - covering seven Southeast Asian nations - grew 36 percent year-on-year to reach 383 million users in 2008, for a corresponding mobile penetration of 72.5 percent. By the close of year 2014, Frost & Sullivan estimates SEA's mobile subscribers to reach 606 million, growing at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of eight percent (2009-2014).

SEA's mobile services grossed an estimated US$28.3 billion in revenues in 2008, and are forecasted to reach billings of US$36.2 billion by end-2014, at a CAGR of 4.2 percent (2009-2014).

First quarter 2008 U.S. revenues from handset sales reached $2.7 billion -- down 7 percent from the previous year

PORT WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, May 20, 2008 – According to The NPD Group, the leader in market research for the wireless industry, mobile phone handset sales to consumers in the U.S. reached nearly 31 million units in the first quarter of 2008, which is a 22 percent decline since the same period a year ago.

NPD estimates total first quarter 2008 consumer sales of nearly $2.7 billion, down from $2.9 billion a year ago.

Motorola W220i: Photo by Muhammad Hamidi (CC)

“For the first time since NPD has tracked handset sales, we’ve noted a decline in sales during the first quarter after the holidays,” said Ross Rubin, director of industry analysis for NPD. “Cellular phone service has become a practical necessity in modern life; however, with looming economic concerns on the horizon, many consumers may be holding back on new handset purchases.”

Caribbean's Largest Mobile Telecom Provider Gained Significant Ground in 2007; New Licenses and Operations Extend Reach of Pan-Caribbean Wireless Network

KINGSTON, JAMAICA -- 01/15/2008 -- Digicel, the fastest-growing telecommunications operator in the Caribbean and new entrant to the Central American market, today announced significant year-end growth achievements in 2007. As the largest GSM operator in the region, Digicel ended the year with more than six million customers, a total investment exceeding US $1.9 billion across the region and new business operations in Suriname, Guyana and El Salvador.

"Digicel's progress in 2007 reinforced our position as the Caribbean’s leading mobile service provider and demonstrated delivery of sustained growth in our current markets, strategically expanding operations in new markets and providing exciting, first-to-market technology innovations to all of our customers,” said Colm Delves, Digicel Group CEO.

Digicel achieved a number of key milestones in 2007. These include: