MUMBAI: As mobile consumption gains tract in markets across the globe, the global mobile subscriptions have totaled to around 6.3 billion last year with subscriptions growing at about nine per cent year-on-year. In India, the subscriptions touched a mark of 713 mn in 2012, according to a report by European telecom equipment maker Ericsson.

The report stated that the total mobile subscriptions in China stood at 1.26 bn, while in India it was 713mn in 2012. The net additions in the fourth quarter of 2012 were 140 mn.

“Global mobile penetration reached 89 per cent in Q4 2012 and mobile subscriptions now total around 6.3 billion. However, the actual number of subscribers is around 4.4 billion, since many people have several subscriptions,” the report said.

China accounted for about 22 per cent of net additions, adding around 30 mn subscriptions, followed by India at 11 mn, Bangladesh at nine million, Indonesia with eight million and Nigeria with five million additions.

It stated, “Mobile subscriptions have grown around nine per cent year-on-year and two per cent quarter-on-quarter. In Q4, mobile broadband subscriptions grew 125 mn to 1.5 bn, reflecting a 50 per cent year-on-year increase.”

The report also mentioned that there is a continued strong momentum for smartphone uptake in all regions.

It also mentioned that approximately 40 per cent of all mobile phones sold during 2012 were smartphones, compared to around 30 per cent for the full year 2011. Only around 15-20 per cent of the worldwide installed base of mobile phone subscriptions uses smartphones.

GSM, GPRS and EDGE subscriptions grew 44 mn and WCDMA and HSPA grew 70 mn. Together these technologies represent 80 per cent of total net additions. Apart from that, LTE subscriptions grew from 14 mn to 57 mn in 2012.

The report now further expects mobile data subscriptions to increase and grow strongly and drive the increase in data traffic, along with a continuous increase in the average data volumes per subscription.