According to the latest data from ABI Research, 2009 will see a total of 1.2 billion mobile devices shipped — including handsets, MIDs, netbooks, 3G modems and other mobile consumer electronics products. Shipments of these devices will have nearly doubled in 2014 to a total of 2.25 billion.
Industry analyst Michael Morgan said: “Handset sales are growing at only 4%, while cellular modem shipments are expected to grow by 40% annually, and ultra mobile devices by 67%. These newer categories represent very attractive market opportunities and new revenue streams for operators.”
He went on to add that the convergence period for cellular communications is coming to an end, and now we’re entering a period of divergence. In that sense, some handset vendors may need to seek a greater part of their business in the low-cost and ultra-low cost segments, while MIDs and netbooks will have to better define their unique use cases… Additional details are available from ABI Research’s website.