GSM Sustains Record Growth in North America

The North American GSM Alliance is reporting that more than three million customers across the United States and Canada use GSM phones daily, with new customers signing up for service at a rate of four-per-minute.

"In slightly more than a year, two million new GSM customers signed up in North America," says Don Warkentin, chairman of the North American GSM Alliance L.L.C., and president and CEO of Aerial Communications. "Nearly 800,000 new customers were added in the fourth quarter of 1998 alone."

According to Warkentin, there are now 17 GSM service providers in North America offering commercial service in more than 2,500 cities in 44 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and four Canadian provinces. Nine of these 17 companies serve more than 200,000 customers each or more.

Warkentin also says that the number of active GSM cities in North America has more than tripled in the past year, from 700 to more than 2,500. In 1999, an additional 13 U.S. companies are expected to launch GSM service.

"In the U.S., there is commercial GSM service in eight of the top ten wireless markets and in 20 of the top 25 markets," explains Warkentin. "In addition, seven of the top ten PCS carriers in the United States provide GSM service."

GSM coverage now reaches 162 million of the potential total population in North America -- covering more than 52% of the Canadian population and nearly 55% in the United States.

"In 1998 alone, 65 million customers signed up for GSM services -- that's about three times the total of CDMA customers worldwide," Warkentin said. "GSM not only continues to lead CDMA, it's widening the gap. At year's end, GSM customers totalled 135 million -- equal to 45% of the world wireless market, or 62% of the global digital market."