Worldwide mobile phone sales increased 21.5% in the
third quarter of 2006 to 251 million units, compared to the same
quarter last year.
Analyst Gartner said third quarter sales in the Asia/Pacific
region, especially in India and China, rose dramatically and drove
overall growth upwards.
Asia/Pacific was the fastest growing region this quarter, with
sales soaring by 55%.
As a result of the strong quarter, Gartner raised its mobile
phone sales forecast to reach 986m units in 2006, with 281m units
in the fourth quarter of 2006.
Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi said, “Although sales of
replacement handsets during the third quarter in the more mature
markets were not as buoyant as we have been accustomed to, they
were offset by continuing momentum in sales to first-time buyers in
emerging markets.”
Milanesi said, “In a market where players compete on price,
technology and strategic partnerships, it is impossible to believe
that life is not getting much tougher for the smaller vendors.
Nokia, Motorola and Samsung accounted for 68% of worldwide mobile
sales in the third quarter of 2006.”
Nokia retained its worldwide number one position in the market
with 35.1% of market share, gaining 2.6% compared to the same
period last year.
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