Metric: Global handset growth to slow in 2005

According to researcher IDC, the global market for handsets boomed in 2004, growing 34 percent to 692 million units shipped. This growth will slow in 2005, though. The researcher predicts that global handset sales in 2005 will be roughly 712 million units, 20 million more than last year. Handset sales growth in 2003 and 2004 was driven in large part by customer upgrades to cell phones with color displays and better features. Most existing consumers have already upgraded at this stage, slowing phone sales growth. IDC predicts that new demand this year will come from emerging markets and new subscribers, slowing overall sales. The researcher predicts that the global cell phone market will hit 1.7 billion users by the end of 2005.

For more on IDC's new handset predictions:
- go to this story from CNET

PLUS: Informa Telecoms and Media predicts 124.8 million mobile TV subscribers by 2010. Release