As expected, China saw a massive increase in all matters related to mobile during 2012. According to published industry estimates on Tuesday, the number of mobile 3G subscribers in China ballooned by 83 percent in 2012.
Brian White of Topeka Capital Markets says China had 233 million 3G subscribers at the close of 2012. That figure was 127.5 million at the close of 2011.
Apple Insider gained access to White’s most recent note to investors, showing that China gained 11.8 million 3G subscribers just in the month of December 2012.
3G subscribers now represent 21 percent of China’s wireless subscribers. And the growth is just projected to continue unhindered throughout 2013. White believes China may have as many as 350 million 3G subscribers by the end of this year.
Still, White noted that 3G penetration in China remains low compared to the developed world. As such, he sees “significant growth opportunities” for mobile companies, including Apple.
