2011 was a big year for mobile growth in China, and that extended to China’s 3G userbase. Historically, 3G hasn’t been as popular in China as one might expect, but that’s changing fast. According to year-end user data from China’s three big telecom operators (China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom), China’s 3G user base has grown by over 80 million users in 2011.
As of the end of 2011, here’s how things stand: China Mobile has 51,210,000 3G users, for approximately 40 percent of China’s 3G market. China Unicom has 40,010,000 3G users (31 percent of the market), and China Telecom has 36,290,000 3G users (29 percent of the market). It’s a pretty even spread amongst the three telecoms, who all stand to make money but are also in for fiercer competition as 3G user numbers increase.
All in all, China had 127 million 3G users as of the end of 2011, and the rate of growth in 3G adoption neared 200 percent during that year. 2012 stands to be another big year for 3G growth, especially since the government seems to be ensuring that 4G isn’t allowed to steal any thunder while the 3G market is still developing.
[China Securities via Sina Tech]