China's smartphone penetration rate has surpassed that of Europe for the first time amid a rising mobile population in the country's rural regions and China-brand vendors offering affordable models, a global industry body said yesterday.
At the end of the first quarter, China's rate of smartphone adoption was 62 percent, above the average 55 percent in Europe.
Meanwhile, the mobile industry contributed $1.1 trillion to Asia's economy in 2014, powered by fastest growing markets like China and India, said the GSM Association, a global mobile communication association.
"Our study published today reveals a vibrant domestic device market that has established the smartphone as a lifestyle hub and digital platform for millions of Chinese citizens," said Hyunmi Yang, chief strategy officer at GSMA.
He added: "Large-scale investments in 4G networks by Chinese mobile operators have triggered a new era of growth."
Chinese vendors are also producing more 4G smartphones than their international rivals. In the first quarter, 70 percent of new handset models made by Chinese vendors supported 4G, compared with the global average of 40 percent, according to GSMA.
Chinese smartphone vendors, including Xiaomi, Meizu and Coolpad, have launched 4G models with prices starting from 400 yuan ($64) or 500 yuan.
In 2014, the mobile industry's output reached $1.1 billion, representing 4.7 percent of Asia's gross domestic product. This is expected to climb to 5.9 percent in 2020. China, India, Indonesia and Japan are the top markets, according to GSMA.
Shanghai will host the Mobile World Congress Asia, a mobile industry exhibition and summit organized by GSMA, from tomorrow to Friday.
