Istanbul, 16 October 2002: The GSM Association, the representative body for the global wireless industry, today confirmed that it’s global growth was continuing and that some 95 per cent of world’s countries have now adopted GSM mobile technology.

The latest list of new members brings a further 57 wireless operators and companies within the Association’s global representation. There are now just eight major countries around the world that have not chosen GSM.

Rob Conway, CEO of the GSM Association, said: “We are delighted to welcome the new members that have joined the Association in the last six months. Our growing membership base demonstrates that there are still great opportunities for network operators and the GSM family.

“It is a real testament to the GSM community and the wider wireless industry that there are now just eight countries in the world without GSM networks. Since the first GSM network launch ten years ago, the GSM phenomenon has gone from strength to strength. The potential ahead for the GSM family of technologies is vast and we must continue to harness its potential so that we can continue to offer consumers innovative and seamless global communications,“ added Conway.

The main focus of the Association’s Istanbul Plenary (hosted by Turkish network operator, Telsim) is to continue to drive the data market forward, with emphasis on GPRS roaming agreements and the acceleration of Multimedia Messaging Services (MMS).

New Members joining the GSM Association this week:

New Associate Members joining the GSM Association this week:

Note to Editors:

The eight major nations yet to adopt GSM technology are: Colombia, Djibouti, Ecuador, Eritrea, Haiti, Iraq, Uruguay and Zaire.

About the GSM Association

The GSM Association (GSMA) is the world's leading wireless industry representative body. It consists of more than 660 second and third generation wireless network operators working collaboratively to define, prioritize and communicate requirements, as well as key manufacturers and suppliers to the wireless industry. The Association's members provide digital wireless services to more than 747 million customers (end September 2002).

The GSM family of wireless communications platforms account for approximately 71 percent of the total digital wireless market today. The GSM Association is a unique organization, with truly global reach, offering a full range of business and technical services to its members.

GSM is a registered trademark, registered and owned by the GSM Association.