Japan outperformed the United States. and six Western European countries in terms of the 3G subscription and penetration, according to the 2006 data from Screen Digest.

In 2006, nearly 70 million 3G subscriptions were reported in Japan, and penetration exceeded 50 percent, making it the most 3G-advanced country among all surveyed.

In the six Western European countries surveyed, including the UK, Spain, Italy, France, Denmark and Belgium, subscriptions totalled about 20 million in 2006, while the penetration reached just 10 percent. The United States, however, lagged behind with both niche subscriptions and low reach.

Among the six countries in Europe, Italy was on top in terms of both subscription and penetration, which was about 10 million and nearly 20 percent, respectively. The UK and Spain ranked next with about 10 percent and eight percent reach, while France followed behind. Denmark and Belgium,only contributed very little either to the subscription or the penetration, according to Screen Digest.