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OYSTER BAY, NY – Despite the global recession, wireless infrastructure continues to show signs of life.

According to ABI Research, Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) will have over 230,000 base stations added in 2010.

By 2014, 2G technologies (GMS, GPRS and EDGE) will comprise 30% to 50% of wireless infrastructure in the BRIC markets, says Aditya Kaul, senior analyst for ABI. The Middle East and Africa could see up to 80%.

The major influence on the regions’ infrastructure spending will be 3G, as the technology remains scarce in the area, Kaul adds.

Although the markets in China and India offer huge 3G potential, Latin America is not far behind.

“Let by Brazil, Latin America is growing surprisingly fast, with 3G deployments taking place ahead of most other emerging markets,” says Kaul. “Mobile WiMAX, while facing problems in North America, is seeing major activity in countries such as Brazil, Russia and India, and ABI Research expects healthy growth in these markets.”

HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND – Over the next six years, sales of low-cost mobile handsets are expected to increase by 22% to over 700 million units, reports Juniper Research.

Nearly 80% of new users will come from emerging markets, with the majority coming from the Middle East and Africa.

Shipment volumes are expected to reach 166 million by 2014, representing 24% of sales for that year. Over the six-year period, shipments are expected to climb 54%, according to Juniper.

In the emerging markets, efforts are underway to lower handsets and services to under $5; benefits have already been realized in Bangladesh, Pakistan and India.

Companies are also developing content-driven services to encourage first-time users to continue using their devices.