Mobile phone accounts for 3.6% of GDP in Latin America

Latin America must have more than 750 million mobile connections by 2015, with an average penetration rate of 122%, the study reveals the GSMA, the body that brings together technology providers in the segment, on Thursday, 02/02.According to the report 'Mobile Observatory of Latin America', the region is one of the largest mobile markets in the world by volume with over 630 million connections by the end of 2011. With HSPA and LTE reaching over 305 million in 2015, mobile broadband is a key driver of growth and is the primary means of Internet access for Latin Americans."There was an increase of 13% annually over the past four years in the region, promoted by increasing accessibility, flexibility and affordability of mobile services, and driven by the growing prosperity of the region and the relative lack of infrastructure of fixed lines. During 2011, the Mobile Broadband connections exceeded DSL and cable connections and today represent the best hope of governments to realize their plans for universalisation of information technology and communications technology (ICT), "says the director of GSMA Latin America, Sebastian Cabello .It is estimated that the mobile market in Latin America currently generates $ 175 billion, or 3.6% of total GDP, with only the mobile operators contributing $ 82 billion in 2010 (1.7% of the total result region). Additionally, it is estimated that the mobile industry has contributed $ 48 billion in 2010 to the public sector, mainly driven by corporate taxes, social contributions, income taxes, net of VAT and mandatory fees.

The mobile ecosystem also makes a substantial contribution to jobs and has generated nearly 600,000 jobs and supports more than 1 million. According furtherto the study, mobile broadband is still an embryonic market in the region, addingonly 61 million subscribers at the end of last year.

The activations of connections grew 133% per year over the past five years and is expected to continue growing at 50% per year over the next five years. With over210 million Internet users in Latin America, there is clearly a demand accumulated by broadband services.

With limited additional deployment of a fixed structure, mobile broadband will be the main platform for Internet services at high speeds for the majority of Latin Americans who are not currently connected.

The GSMA also reinforces the lobby by using the 770 MHz band for mobile services. It said "the allocation of this spectrum in the short term will help connect the unconnected, accelerate adoption rates and cause a significant impact oneconomic growth." The organization has identified four key issues in the regulatory area. They are:

_Necessidade Of a regulatory regime transparent, predictable and aligned advisory

Reduction of tax-inefficient to allow an increase in mobile penetration

-Incentives to promote universal access, instead of bonds / funds for universal service

- The importance of a clear roadmap of spectrum allocation, especially to meet the growing demands of end users of mobile broadband