GSM expects 1,000,000,000th user

The GSM Association group said there were 970 mil GSM users worldwide as of the end of 2003 compared to 181 mil CDMA users. The association is a trade organization comprised of wireless operators that use GSM technology. The group said in a statement that 15 mil new GSM users were being added a month. About 180 mil new GSM users were added in 2003, which represented 80% of all new wireless users for the year, the group claimed. "By taking 80% of growth in 2003, GSM outperformed the market and reinforced its position as the global standard for mobile communications," Rob Conway, chief executive of the association said in a statement.