ComNews Research: 3G Traffic on the Rise in Russia
ComNews Research published a report about the development of 3G networks in Russia. Deployment of UMTS networks by three largest Russian operators in 2008 has become a catalyst of 3G traffic growth in Russia. In 4Q it increased by 62% sequentially.
During first four months of operation new networks captured 20% market share from the first Russian 3G-operator Sky Link (CDMA2000). Most of 3G traffic in Russia is still generated by CDMA2000 networks. However, if UMTS networks growth keeps its current rate the three largest Russian operators will dominate in Russian mobile broadband market in half a year.
According to ComNews Research, in 2008 data transfer volume in CDMA2000 and UMTS networks reached 1636 Tb that is 3.4 times more than it was in 2007.
The fastest growth was in 4Q when 3G traffic volume grew 62% sequentially and 3.1 times more than in the same period last year.
The main reason for such rapid rise is deployment of 3G networks by the three largest operators in Russian regions. As a result, during 4Q UMTS networks generated 18% of all 3G traffic.
В© Oxana Vassilyeva