The number of 3G users in the US has topped those in Europe for the first time, according to comScore.

The research firm said that 28.4 per cent of US mobile subscribers now have a 3G device compared with 28.3 per cent in the largest countries in Europe. Only Italy and Spain have a greater percentage of 3G users than the US.

"For years, the American mobile industry has aspired to the level of sophistication of the European market," said Mark Donovan, senior vice president and senior analyst at comScore.

"Today, Americans have finally caught up with Europeans in adoption of 3G. The advancements in 3G network technology and the introduction of sleek devices have paid off as adoption of mobile media continues to grow at a rapid pace."

The US 3G market grew by over 80 per cent in the past year to over 60 million users. The average EU growth rate was barely half that figure.

Growth rates in some European countries was over 20 per cent. The fastest growing markets were Spain (75.4 per cent), Germany (67.1 per cent) and the UK (46.1 per cent).