Bluetooth, the short-range wireless device for voice and data transmission, is continuing to gain popularity, with In-Stat revealing that 2005 will be the fourth consecutive year in which Bluetooth-enabled product shipments more than double.
According to In-Stat, Bluetooth shipments are forecast to reach 866 million in 2009, rising by 550 million from the 316 million units expected in 2005.
Commenting on the predictions, Brian O’Rourke said: “Mobile phones are at the core of Bluetooth’s popularity. They are in turn helping Bluetooth penetrate into other products, including notebooks PCs, mono and stereo headsets, automobiles, and portable digital music players.”
Informa Telecoms & Media projects worldwide growth in the mobile phone industry to hit its highest level ever this year, surpassing the 335 million new additions in 2004 (see Worldwide Mobile Growth To Hit Record High).
In North America, the mobile phone market is already getting close to saturation, with a 70% to 80% penetration rate, according to US analyst eMarketer (see US Mobile Phone Base Close To Saturation).
Data published by the Mobile Data Association (MDA) at the beginning of 2004 showed that market penetration of mobile phone ownership has already exceeded 100%, with the number of mobile handsets currently in circulation greater than the UK’s population (see Popularity Of E-Shopping Continues To Grow).
However, despite the strong subscriber base, mobile phone growth is not expected to slow, with eMarketer asserting that providers will look towards offering users other content on their mobile handsets.
According to Informa Telecoms & Media’s Mobile Entertainment report, consumers are increasingly using their mobile phones to play music and games, and gamble, opening up lucrative new revenue streams for mobile and content industries, resulting in the global mobile entertainment market predicted to be worth $42.8 billion by 2010 (see Global Entertainment Market To Reach $42.8 Billion By 2010).
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