In China Number Of 3G Subscribers Grew 88% Year Over Year

This week analyst Brian White from Topeka Capital provided a closer look at the latest statistics on mobile subscribers in China, noting that total number of 3G subscribers in this country reached 222 million last month, up 88% year over year. He also noted that 3G subscriber growth in China Mobile has been slowed because the company does not offer iPhones.

China Mobile is the largest carrier in the world with 707.3 million wireless subscribers. The carrier represents 64% of wireless subscribers in China, but only 37% of all 3G users in this country — and its share decreased from 41% a year ago. White said in a note to investors:

"China Mobile is the only major carrier in China that does not have a relationship with Apple to sell the iPhone. We still expect Apple and China Mobile to announce an agreement for the iPhone in 2013."

In contrast, two Chinese carriers that offer Apple’s iPhone — China Unicom and China Telecom — saw the number of their 3G subscribers double compared to last year.

White expects that by the end of 2013 the number of 3G subscribers in this market will be between 325 and 350 million.