Mobile phone makers do not agree on 3G future

Mobile phone makers do not agree on 3G future

If main vendors agree that the 3G handset market would grow in 2006, driven by the number of new networks built and increased coverage, they likely differ on its growth pace. For Nokia, the market leader, the growth rate will be over 100% and they expect to double their 3G UMTS phone sales, even if it is not yet a mass market. Motorola is more cautious and only expect a middle-range growth rate. On the operator side, optimism is required. Vodafone plans to reach 10m 3G users by March 2006, from 3.3m in July 2005. Orange, SFR, are on the same trend short-term, far ahead from their initial targets. But is it noticeable that very few mobile operators are communicating on their forecast at 1-2 years from now. Everyone in fact bet that 3G handsets will cost less, do more and better, increase performance, in order to match with users' requirements.