AUSTIN, TX -- (Marketwire) -- 01/30/13 -- Looking at the world's mobile connection data holistically allows one to see the overarching patterns that will play out over the next five years and which markets will see the most growth. Connections can be for many types of mobile devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, mobile hotspots, portable modems, and embedded modems.

The worldwide population is expected to continue its steady growth over the next five years and has already surpassed 7 billion people in 2012. Worldwide wireless connections are growing briskly and will surpass 6 billion connections in 2013 to reach 7.5 billion in 2017. The global wireless penetration rate will rise at an annually compounded rate of 4.8 percent over the next five years from 83.5 percent in 2012 to 100.4 percent in 2017.

These top-level forecasts alone show how people the world over are increasingly preferring mobile devices as their main voice and data communications tool. In some regions, a mobile phone / smartphone may be the user's only connection to the Internet.

"Aside from the increase in the number of connections, the other major change over the forecast period is the continued growth of 3G and, toward the end of the forecast, a major shift to 4G LTE," said Iain Gillott, president and founder of iGR, a market research consultancy focused on the wireless and mobile industry. "Fourth generation technologies -- primarily LTE -- are still in their early stages, but will see drastic growth and reach 1.4 billion connections in 2017."

The following key questions are addressed in iGR's research study:

• How many wireless connections are there globally and in each major geographic region, including North America, Latin America and Caribbean, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Japan?
• What is the split of those connections by technology type -- both air interface and generation?
• What are the key connection-related trends by technology and region? For example:
  • GSM
  • CDMA
  • UMTS/HSPA
  • LTE
• What are the major markets for LTE both today and throughout the forecast period?
• When does iGR expect LTE to become a significant portion of the various regions over the forecast period?
  
  

The information in this report will be valuable for:

• Mobile operators
• Device OEMs
• Content providers and distributors
• Financial analysts and investors.
  
  

The report can be purchased and downloaded directly from iGR's website at www.iGR-inc.com. Alternatively, contact Iain Gillott at (512) 263-5682 or at Iain@iGR-inc.com for additional details.

About iGR
iGR is a market strategy consultancy focused on the wireless and mobile communications industry. Founded by Iain Gillott, one of the wireless industry's leading analysts, in late 2000 as iGillottResearch, iGR is now entering its thirteenth year of operation. iGR continuously researches emerging and existent technologies, technology industries, and consumer markets. We use our detailed research to offer a range of services to help companies improve their position in the marketplace, clearly define their future direction, and ultimately improve their bottom line.

iGR researches a range of wireless and mobile products and technologies, including: smartphones; tablets; mobile applications; bandwidth demand and use; small cell architectures; DAS; LTE; WiMAX; VoLTE; IMS; NFC; GSM/GPRS/UMTS/HSPA; CDMA 1x/EV-DO; iDEN; SIP; macro-, pico- and femtocells; mobile backhaul; WiFi and WiFi offload; and SIM and UICC.

A more complete profile of the company can be found at www.igr-inc.com.