AUSTIN, Texas-More than 15 percent of U.S. “tweens” will own wireless phones by 2009, representing a significant opportunity for handset manufacturers, according to a report from iGillottResearch.
The study indicates children as young as 6 years old are already using their own phones, and 4 million of the 26 million pre-teenagers will have their own handsets in four years. Phone makers looking to take advantage of the growing market should target specific ages with different features and services for each specific group.
“This study shows there are significant opportunities with the tween segment, but that there are actually clearly defined sub-segments in this market,” said Iain Gillott, president of iGillottResearch Inc. “For example, older tweens prefer different types of devices, want different services and will use their handsets in different ways.”
