3G mobile technology link to economic growth: study

Peter Dinham
Wednesday, 10 June 2009 16:13

IT Industry - Market

Research is starting to find links between the adoption of 3G mobile technologies and economic growth, and a new multi-million dollar study intends to delve deeper into the connection.

According to Curtin Business School in Western Australia, there’s indications of  a direct link between the timely adoption of 3G mobile technologies and economic growth, and the school’s Professor Gary Madden says that Thailand has lagged in the adoption of 3G technology, Sweden has adopted some 3G, while Japan’s take up of 3G has been comprehensive.

Professor Madden, director of Curtin’s communication economics and electronic markets (CEEM) research centre, says that, while investment in 3G technologies can have a positive impact on economic growth, “government policies that delay the investment process can cause substantial economic loss.”

Professor Madden today announced that Curtin was involved in a five-year multi-million dollar research project to study the benefits of third-generation (3G) mobile technology adoption.

The research, to be conducted in conjunction with prominent universities in Thailand, Sweden and Japan, with funding from various telecommunications organisations in those countries - and led by Professor Madden - will analyse current 3G mobile usage and subscription intentions using consumer data from Thailand, Sweden and Japan.

Professor Madden said the research results would produce a unique insight into the potential for economic development from adopting 3G technology in a country like Thailand, and the project would be discussed at the International Telecommunications Society’s fourth Africa-Asia-Australasia regional conference to be held at Curtin’s Bentley campus from the 16th to 18th of August this year.

The Thailand national market survey is currently underway, funded by the country’s National Telecommunications Commission, and coordinated by Thammasat University’s International Cooperation Study Centre.

CONTINUED page 2