The worldwide mobile phone market is edging ever nearer to one billion units shipped for the year, with a total of 254.9 million units shipped in the third quarter of 2006, according to IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker.
Worldwide shipments of mobile phones were up 7.9% from the previous quarter and up an impressive 21.0% from the same quarter a year ago.
IDC says that with 3Q06 earnings results in, record performances have been recorded by all of the top 5 vendors in the industry.
It adds that these high numbers in shipments in the third quarter have allowed it to keep its forecast for 2006 intact, with the aim to reach nearly a billion units shipped for the year.
In addition, the market intelligence company says that with the holidays approaching, consumers are shifting their aspirations from slim handsets to the world of mobile music.
The portfolio of handsets from each of the top 5 vendors is now outfitted with a signature device that is designed for consumers who want music on the go, and these models are now rapidly gaining the traction we anticipated.
Ramon Llamas, research analyst with IDC’s Worldwide Mobile Phone Tracker, said: “Shipping nearly a billion units in a single year is a significant milestone, but just as important is the journey it takes to get there.
“Much focus has been given to emerging markets, and rightly so. Emerging markets have presented tremendous opportunity for vendors to provide users with their first handsets, and some users may already be looking to upgrade to another phone. Similarly, replacement handsets are a popular option for those in mature markets, especially as new features such as music have gained momentum.”
Ryan Reith, research analyst with IDC’s Worldwide Mobile Phone Tracker, commented: “The strong growth in the third quarter was very comparable to the growth we saw in 3Q05, as the trend of vendors and carriers working to prep for the holiday season begins.
“New models are appearing on shelves, carrier marketing campaigns are everywhere, and the buzz around stylish phones are driving consumer awareness towards new devices.”
A recent report from Informa Telecoms & Media forecast that global sales of mobile phone handsets will top 1.2 billion by 2011, although 2006 will be the last year of massive overall worldwide growth (see Mobile Phone Handset Sales To Top 1.2 Billion).
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