Q. Which is the biggest mobile operator in the world?

Clue: It's not Vodafone...

By Tony Hallett, 5 September 2002 14:00

NEWS Despite operations in dozens of countries and a reputation as one of the most successful new economy companies, Vodafone has been toppled as the world's largest mobile carrier, measured purely in terms of individual users. The latest figures from telecoms market research specialist EMC put China Mobile's total subscriber base at 123 million. Vodafone's combined international customer figures weigh in at just over the 100 million mark by the end of June this year. The figures themselves mean little - for one thing, Vodafone also has a presence in what will easily be the world's largest single mobile market - but may affect the Newbury company marketing itself as the 'World's Largest Mobile Community'. Also in the top five, in third place, is T-Mobile, followed by China Unicom, which has 30 per cent market share in China, and NTT DoCoMo, which holds stakes in operators in Western Europe as well as its home network in Japan.

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