SAN JOSE, Calif.—Strong sales of wireless phones were a major contributor to increases in microchip sales during the first quarter, according to figures released by the Semiconductor Industry Association.
Worldwide semiconductor sales reached $59.1 billion during the quarter, up 7.3 percent year-over-year, but down 1.3 percent from seasonally strong fourth-quarter semiconductor sales of $59.9 billion.
“Cell phone unit sales increased by 31 percent from the first quarter of 2005 and ran substantially ahead of expectations,” said George Scalise, president of SIA. “Unit sales are now expected to reach 1 billion this year.”
The wireless industry now represents the second-largest market for semiconductors behind the personal computer industry. Together, cellular phones and personal computers account for more than half of all semiconductor sales, said SIA.
