News
Super 3G set to explode
Stuart O'Brien Nov 6 2007, 9:15am
'Super 3G’ devices will become the best-selling handsets by 2012, according to new research.
Informa Telecoms & Media says that while total global handset growth will slow from 2008, super 3G devices (HSDPA, etc) will account for 35.8 per cent of all handset sales in 2012, up from only 1.8 per cent in 2007.
Overall, Informa says the global handset market doubled in the six years to end-2006 to stand at 974.7 million units shipped annually.
However, it expects annual growth rates to dip under 10 per cent from 2008. Total handset sales are forecast to pass the one billion mark for the first time in 2007.
Informa stresses that global volumes are not about to go in decline.
Instead there will be a degree of levelling out in shipments to reach what it calls 'a still remarkable' 1.452 billion units by 2012, a CAGR of 5.6 per cent.
Dave McQueen, principal analyst at Informa Telecoms & Media, said: "While handset manufacturers are basing their business models on low margins and high-volume supply for basic phones and low feature phones, they are currently banking on high margins for feature rich phones, smartphones, value-added service (VAS) phones and mobile broadband devices supporting super 3G and higher generations."
