Skip to main content

3Q05 Worldwide Mobile Phone Market

New product introductions, portfolio refreshes, and exciting new form factors helped spur growth in the worldwide mobile phone market during the third quarter of 2005. According to IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, worldwide mobile phone shipments rose 19.1 percent year over year and increased sequentially 8.8 percent in 3Q05 to reach 208.3 million units.

Year-over-year growth increased substantially over the prior two quarters, signaling a balance against slower growth during the first half of the year. Each of the top 5 vendors within the industry reached all-time-high shipment levels and maintained the same rankings from the previous quarter.

"Last year, quarterly mobile phone shipments didn't reach 200 million units until the end of the fourth quarter when vendors were keeping the channels' shelves stocked for the holiday rush. As vendors announced new products earlier this year and accelerated their time to market, we've already reached this milestone," said Ramon Llamas, research analyst for IDC's Mobile Devices team.

The extensive introduction of new devices from a number of vendors in markets worldwide to fit the full spectrum of market segments fueled healthy growth in 3Q and ensured comprehensive early visibility and availability of devices for 4Q to meet the seasonal increase in demand and spending. As in previous quarters, Western Europe was a leading region with regard to new device launches.

Popular posts from this blog

Bold Broadband Policy: Yes We Can, America

Try to imagine this scenario, that General Motors and Ford were given exclusive franchises to build America's interstate highway system, and also all the highways that connect local communities. Now imagine that, based upon a financial crisis, these troubled companies decided to convert all "their" local arteries into toll-roads -- they then use incremental toll fees to severely limit all travel to and from small businesses. Why? This handicapping process reduced the need to invest in building better new roads, or repairing the dilapidated ones. But, wouldn't that short-sighted decision have a detrimental impact on the overall national economy? It's a moot point -- pure fantasy -- you say. The U.S. political leadership would never knowingly risk the nation's social and economic future on the financial viability of a restrictive duopoly. Or, would they? The 21st century Global Networked Economy travels across essential broadband infrastructure. The forced intro...