Computer Industry Almanac published the numbers on thee subscriber base for wireless services. The worldwide number of cellular subscribers will surpass 2 bln in 2005, up from 11 mln in 1990 and 750 mln in 2000. China is the clear leader in cellular subscribers and will reach nearly 400 mln at year-end 2005, nearly twice as many as the USA. Russia has seen tremendous growth in the last few years and is projected to be in third place by year-end 2005. Rapid expansion in India will see a future climb in the rankings to a possible #2 in 2010. Worldwide cellular subscribers are forecasted to reach 3.2 bln by the end of 2010.
| Global wireless subscriber numbers | ||
| Country | Subscribers, mln. | Share, % |
| 1. China |
398 | 19.3 |
| 2. USA |
202 |
9.9 |
| 3. Russia |
115 |
5.6 |
| 4. Japan |
95 | 4.6 |
| 5. Brazil |
86 | 4.1 |
| 6. India | 79 | 3.8 |
| 7. Germany |
73 | 3.5 |
| 8. Italy | 59 | 2.9 |
| 9. UK |
58 | 2.8 |
| 10. France | 47 | 2.3 |
| 11. Mexico | 46 | 2.2 |
| 12. Turkey |
40 | 1.9 |
| 13. Spain |
39 | 1.9 |
| 14. South Korea | 38 | 1.8 |
| 15. Indonesia | 38 | 1.8 |
| Top 15 countries | 1,414 | 68.5 |
| Worldwide total | 2,065 | 100 |
| Source: Computer Industry Almanac | ||