IDC Predicts Mobile Phone Market in Asia/Pacific Excluding Japan Region to Surpass 400 Million Units in 2008

According to the latest IDC Asia/Pacific Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, mobile phone shipments in the Asia/Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) region in 2007 hit 366 million units, an 18% increase from 2006. Shipments are further projected to exceed 400 million units in 2008, representing a 10% year-on-year increase.

"The twin engines of this growth are India and the PRC, which together commanded more than 60% of shipments in the region," said Aloysius Choong, Research Manager of IDC's Asia/Pacific Personal Systems research. "We expect the India market to be particularly robust, swelling by another 19% in 2008."

Although both markets saw record subscriber growth in 2007, mobile penetration rates currently stand at about 20% in India and 40% in the PRC, so there is still much room for expansion.

Source:IDC Press Release