Pete Bell

Pete Bell is a Research Analyst for TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database and also contributes to the daily CommsUpdate newsletter. He has a particular interest in wireless broadband and was responsible for TeleGeography’s 4G Research Service until it was integrated into GlobalComms.

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Recent Posts

Rakuten Aims to Make a Splash in Japan

Japan has one of the most technologically advanced mobile markets in the world. Three well-established players–NTT DOCOMO, KDDI, and Softbank–dominate the sector. 

When combined, these three claimed over 170 million subscribers at the end of 2018.

Huawei: No Way or All the Way?

Chinese equipment manufacturer Huawei Technologies has found itself in the spotlight following accusations of espionage, fraud, by-passing Iranian trade sanctions, and threats to cyber-security.

The company is now facing a backlash from a growing number of governments and telcos around the world.

When is 5G not 5G?

U.S. telco AT&T has come under criticism from rivals for pushing its “5G Evolution” technology.

But critics might want to take a long look in the mirror, as many have been guilty of similar marketing hyperbole.

LatAm Mobile Market Poised to Return to Growth

The wireless services sector in Latin America and the Caribbean has stagnated in recent years.

The region was home to 690.4 million wireless subscribers at the end of June 2018, up slightly from 687.4 million six months before, but well down from the recent peak of 714.1 million at end-2014.

As countries reach market saturation, operators are now concentrating their efforts on wringing more revenue from existing users.

Cable is Main Form of Broadband Access in North America

The market for fixed broadband services in North America is clearly divided along technological lines.

Cablecos are currently battling rivals with copper and, increasingly, fiber-based networks.

Italian 5G Auction Sees High Price Tags, Raised Eyebrows

The Italian government recently completed its sale of wireless spectrum, which has been earmarked as suitable for future 5G services.

The auction ran for 14 days and saw 171 rounds of bidding, raising over €6.55 billion. This was more than €4 billion higher than the government’s minimum target.

But the high prices paid for frequencies have raised eyebrows—and not just in Italy.

More Mobile Subscribers in the Middle East, Slowed Overall Growth

The Middle East had 370.5 million wireless subscribers at the end of June 2018, up from 367.4 million at the start of the year and 361.7 million at end-2016.

But growth rates have slowed dramatically in recent years, as more mature markets in the region near a saturation point.

Is Recent Growth in Asia’s Fixed Broadband Sector Set to Slow?

The market for fixed broadband services in the Asia-Pacific region has expanded rapidly in recent years, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17 percent between 2005 and 2017.

The region was home to more than 549 million fixed internet customers at the end of 2017, up 14 percent from 482 million 12 months earlier.

Wireless Services in Europe: A Mixed Bag for Operators

Europe’s wireless market has seen customer totals decline in recent years as operators place less emphasis on winning new users and more on earning from their existing subscribers while wiping inactive accounts.

There were around 1.045 billion cellular subscribers across Western and Eastern Europe at the end of 2017, down from 1.048 billion a year earlier.

At it’s peak in 2015 there were 1.052 billion subscribers.

There are 17.5 Million Fixed Broadband Customers in Africa. How Does That Compare Globally?

The fixed broadband market in Africa has witnessed continued growth in recent years, despite a household penetration rate that remains in single digits.

Only 7 percent of African households subscribed to high speed internet services at the end of 2017. (Compare that to the Middle East’s 38 percent, which is next in line.)