71% of the world's digital mobile communications subscribers use GSM. many incorrectly consider the system as approaching its end, particularly with the advent of 3G, because it is thought to be voice-centric with low performing data capabilities. However, GSM is far from dead, and is in fact being advanced in a manner that finds it on par with 3G technologies. The manifestation of the GSM radio access network, "GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network" (GERAN) is now considered by the International Telecommunications Union as a 3G technology in its own right. It is standardised by the same Organisation as UTRAN (UMTS Radio Access Network), and has been positioned as a complementary component of the overall UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) communications system.