Yes, users sponsoring others will always be one way to create accounts. Account creation is built in the system, for all users. So anybody can create an account for another person if they give some of their own Steem, always an option.
The faucets are for users who don't know anybody, and poor, or don't want to, or can't get btc to get steem to buy an account created by somebody else. For technology adoption must always be a way for complete newcomers to easily and quickly try the new technology, play and practice.