THE TIMES OF INDIA

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2003

Global handset sales to top 500 mn in 2004

REUTERS

CHICAGO: Global cell phones sales will top 500 million next year for the
first time in its history, thanks to a growing demand for high-speed mobile
phones and models with integrated digital cameras, according to a study by
research firm IDC.

Mobile phone sales globally are expected to top 460 million units this year
and then grow more than 8 percent in 2004, said IDC, which is based in
Framingham, Massachusetts.

"Mobile phones are already an important part of everyday life in many
cultures as users have embraced the technology and embedded it into their
lifestyle," IDC analyst Alex Slawsby said in a statement.

"Enticed by new form factors, expanded features and capabilities, and
falling prices, consumers are poised to begin a prolonged replacement cycle
by upgrading to next-generation phones," he added. "This, combined with new
demand from emerging markets, will sustain handset growth for much of the
forecast period."

The total number of mobile phone users will approach 1.4 billion individuals
worldwide in 2004, with vendors shipping more than 241 million 2.5G phones,
up 42 per cent from 2003, and more than 48 million 3G phones, up 140 per
cent from 2003, IDC said.

Cell phones with integrated digital cameras will grow 64 per cent next year
to almost 100 million units, IDC said. Almost 30 million smartphones, will
be sold next year, representing growth of 111 per cent from 2003.

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