Strategy Analytics: 800 Million Mobile Phones to Be Shipped Worldwide in 2005

According to the latest research form Strategy Analytics, "global mobile phone shipments grew 25 per cent year-over-year, to reach a record 209 million units during Q3 2005," while at the same time, "worldwide industry ASPs (Average Selling Price) fell 11 per cent annually during the quarter."

Neil Mawston at Strategy Analytics, said, "A record 209 million mobile phones were shipped worldwide in Q3 2005. Following 566 million units during the first 9 months of the year, we expect the full-year total to surpass the 800 million level for the first time ever. Q4 will be yet another record quarter and the cell phone market is on track for $120 billion in total annual wholesale revenues by the end of this year."

Chris Ambrosio at Strategy Analytics added, "In stark contrast to the 25 per cent upward growth in shipment volumes, global wholesale handset ASPs declined 11 per cent year-over-year, to reach $146 during the third quarter of 2005. These intense pricing and profit pressures within the mobile phone industry are going to cause consolidation-pressure to reach critical mass among smaller vendors, such as Ningbo Bird and Panasonic, who will struggle to maintain increasingly expensive development efforts in either low-cost phones or feature-rich 3G handsets through the next several years."