U.S. catches up with Western Europe in 3G adoption

3G phones allows for fast data speed and simultaneous data and voice connections.

(Credit: Dong Ngo/CNET Networks)

ComScore, a global company that measures the world's digital usage, reported on Thursday that the U.S. is no longer trailing behind Western Europe in the adoption of 3G mobile devices.

3G is the third generation of mobile standards, used primarily in cell phones, that allows for fast cellular data speed and simultaneous data and voice connections.

After a slower start, 28.4 percent of American mobile subscribers now have 3G devices versus 28.3 percent in the largest countries in Europe. The report is based on the changes in 3G device penetration between June 2007 and June 2008. During this time, U.S. 3G subscribers increased by 80 percent to the current total of 64.2 million. The only European countries that still outdo the U.S. in 3D penetration are Italy and Spain.

The report credited the increase to the fact that mobile carriers in the U.S. have been rolling out their enhanced networks and new generation of 3G enabled devices.

It's important to note that the increase in device penetration doesn't necessarily translate into the same increase in 3G usage. Some users don't use the 3G features of their mobile device and others, like me, might not be able to use it as often as they can.