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The CDMA Development Group (CDG) announced that there are more than 10 million CDMA2000 subscribers worldwide, accounting for more than 98 percent of the total number of 3G users. However, despite the impressive number of total users, the vast majority of these only have access to CDMA2000 1xRTT networks - a technology which is subject to heated debate concerning whether it should be counted as 3G or not.
In real life, speeds achieved from CDMA2000 1xRTT networks typically run as high as 40-60 Kbps, leading to further withering of the ground the CDG's claim rests on, and proving that the so-called 3G technology in reality competes with GPRS in terms of real life transfer speeds - which the industry has since long agreed to is a 2.5G technology.
According to numbers provided by the CDG, CDMA2000 continues to grow at a phenomenal rate, now adding nearly 1.5 million subscribers per month. Numbers were however not disclosed for what percentage of subscribers utilize CDMA2000 1xRTT networks as opposed to CDMA2000 1xEV-DO networks - the latter of which without doubt qualifies as a 3G network. 1xRTT networks are capable of transmitting data at speeds of up to 144 Kbps to stationary terminals, but are not capable of doing so to mobile terminals, thus falling outside the IMT-2000 specification for 3G networks.
Still, the CDG continues to pitch CDMA2000 1xRTT as 3G technology as Perry LaForge, executive director of the CDG stated that "The CDMA community has once again shown extraordinary leadership in 3G wireless communications." Additionally, industry analyst and editor-in-chief of Forbes/Andrew Seybold's Wireless Outlook, Andy Seybold, follows up; "With 3G CDMA technology, operators are increasing revenue opportunities by providing subscribers with leading-edge multimedia applications, while consumers benefit from the wide variety of applications and devices available today. The CDMA industry's landmark achievement of reaching 10 million subscribers further validates the fact that CDMA is leading 3G."
Currently, there are 15 operators in the Americas, Asia and Europe offering 3G services through CDMA2000 according to the CDG. Of these, only SK Telecom and KT Freetel (both of Korea) have operational CDMA2000 1xEV-DO networks - leaving the percentage of networks that undoubtedly can be called 3G networks at 13%.
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