USA to surpass European mobile networks?

The wags at MobileBeat 2009 are promoting the idea that the US will "leapfrog" Europe's mobile networks and user base in the next few years. The enormous advantages of the European uniform network is going to be defeated by...wait for it...enthusiasm for the iPhone. A device only available on one of the 3 incompatible networks in the US...with no plans on the table to alter that incompatibility. I guess I just don't get it.