Europe : A recent survey from the Swedish National Post and Telecom Agency reports that Sweden has achieved Europe's most extensive network coverage for third-generation (3G) mobile telecom services.

According to the research, approximately 85 percent of Sweden's 9 million citizens are currently able to use 3G services, a figure that is expected to reach 100 percent during the next two years. Sweden also has a total of 9.3 million cell phone user accounts, which is more than its entire population. This unique combination of infrastructure, high penetration, and early adopter culture make Sweden an ideal market entry point for U.S. companies to launch, implement, and test their latest products, technologies, and services.

"Sweden's successful 3G network roll out has enabled the rapid growth and deployment of cutting-edge, high-bandwidth mobile applications and services for business, consumers, and entertainment," stated Erik Enroth, Executive Director, Invest in Sweden Agency, U.S. "Companies are usually aware of Sweden's well established technological advantages, but are frequently surprised to learn Sweden is among the least expensive European countries in which to open and operate a foreign corporation."

About Sweden's 3G Network

Sweden's network coverage of 85 percent is more comprehensive than any other European country. The U.K. is second with 75 percent followed by Italy with 60 percent. Commenting on the report, the National Post and Telecom Agency said Sweden's strong showing was partly a result of smooth approval processes for construction of the physical network infrastructure and the conditions imposed by the government on 3G service operators when it auctioned off 3G frequencies several years ago. The agency observed: "The government conditions have probably enabled a faster expansion of the network than if purely commercial considerations had been allowed to govern the process."

Third-generation networks are hailed by telecom companies as heralding a revolution in services to wireless users but have been delayed by overpriced operating licenses, lukewarm customer enthusiasm and financial difficulties among telecom operators dating back to the end of the IT bubble. However, in recent months European 3G operators and handset manufacturers have been showing increased bullishness about the market and uptake of 3G services among customers is now growing steadily.

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