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Mobile Sales Beat Expectations in First Quarter
(29 Apr 2008, BWCS Staff)Despite the Credit Crunch, consumer spending slow-down and the housing market going belly-up, mobile phones it seems are still in high demand. According to figures from ABI Research, handset sales around the world beat estimates during the first three months of this year, bringing some cheer to generally depressed board rooms.
According to ABI Research vice president, Jake Saunders, "Operators and distributors continued to top up their inventories in the first quarter of 2008 after a particularly strong fourth quarter in 2007." However, Saunders's statement went on to point out that while sales in the first quarter of this year were up 13.7% on the same period in 2007, the second quarter of this year is "likely to be softer than in previous years."
ABI believes that a sea-change in the way people perceive mobile phones - no longer viewed as a luxury, but as a necessity - has boosted sales in the emerging markets of Africa, South America, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. This increased appetite for mobile connections was matched by slowing growth rates in the developed world.
In the western world new smart devices such as those produced by Apple and RIM have helped boost sales, the research company stated. ABI expects 2008 to top out at 1.28 billion mobile devices shipped - a 12% increase year over year - but, the company warned, these volumes could be subject to the overall global economic climate.
According to ABI's figures, among the big players in the handset game, Nokia increased its market share to 39.9%, with Samsung taking 16% and LG Electronics following behind with 8.6%. Motorola and Sony Ericsson lost some ground to the Korean companies during the period.
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