mobile phone connections are likely to reach 6 billion by 2013, according to a release by the GSM Association. Tremendous demand is seen for mobile connections or dongles, which enables users to connect laptops to the internet, like smartphones with high speed packet access connections.

Micheal O'Hara, the Chief Marketing Officer at the GSMA said, "Industry initiatives in the areas of Mobile Broadband, Mobile Lifestyle and Mobile Planet will help drive this innovation and growth, despite the challenges of the global economic downturn".

Real users cannot be so easily estimated, as many people in this market own more than one phone or mobile device.

The GSMA is likely to focus on the developments in mobile broadband infrastructure and the proliferation of internet-connected mobile devices at the Mobile World Congress, which is to be held next week in Barcelona.

"mobile phones have evolved to become broadband-enabled multimedia devices that connect mass markets in mature and emerging markets alike", said O'Hara." Mobile World Congress will showcase how the industry will continue to push the boundaries into the mobile future".