New York-A new report predicts mobile phones will become as prevalent as televisions and radios and that handset sales will continue to grow during the next five years.
FastTrack Wireless Inc. predicts global handset sales this year will reach 446 million units, up 10 percent from the 406 million units sold last year. Further, the firm predicts new subscribers will account for only 8 percent of all handset sales in 2007, down from the 43 percent of new-subscriber sales last year.
“Handsets are fast becoming standard consumer electronics products much like TV sets, radios, and digital cameras,” said Ed Matluck, FastTrack’s chief executive officer. “Companies are going to increasingly be required to rely on new features, products and design innovation to generate sales.”
The firm also predicted Nokia, Motorola, Samsung and Siemens will finish in the top four spots this year as they did last year.
