Investments in 3G technology are continuing even as 4G pushes further into the mainstream, GSA statistics show.
More than 80% of 3G operators are maintaining plans to invest in 3G, exploring upgrades including DC-HSPA+ and new smartphone features, the industry body said.
As of April 27, there were 582 commercially launched HSPA and HSPA+ networks in 216 countries and all of the world's W-CDMA operators have commercially launched HSPA services.
Among the networks in operation there were 404 HSPA+ networks in 168 countries, including 182 DC-HSPA+ networks in 92 countries, as well as a single 63Mbps three-carrier HSPA+ network in Turkey.
A further 18 operators have committed to rolling out HSPA networks, the statistics show.
Most 3G HSPA systems use 2.1-GHz spectrum, but the UMTS900 (900-MHz) band is also mainstream, in commercial use by 96 operators in 60 countries.
By the end of last year there were over 1.83 billion W-CDMA/HSPA subscriptions worldwide. The GSA also predicts that 3G subscriptions will remain ahead of 4G until 2020.