BOSTON, United States—The Yankee Group expects the deployment of new technologies to drive handset sales between 2002 and 2005, with Asia leading the way, especially China.
The research firm said mobile-phone sales will rise from about 435.7 million in 2002 to about 596 million in 2005.
“The manufacturers that come out on top after the next four years will be those that succeed in aligning their products with the evolving market demands,” said the company in a statement.
The company’s message for the European market was less optimistic. The Yankee Group predicted that European unit sales will decline by 8 percent in 2001, with modest 2.4-percent growth expected in 2002. Saturation in Europe will slow growth, but General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) handsets and color interfaces will drive some new demand, the company said.
