Motorola Clings Onto Top Spot in US Handset Market

According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, mobile phone shipments in the United States defied the economic gloom and grew 5 percent annually, to reach 42 million units during Q2 2008. Motorola had a strong quarter and maintained its number one position in the region.

Bonny Joy, Analyst at Strategy Analytics said, "Despite economic fears and a tightening on consumer-spend, mobile phone shipments in the United States reached 41.9 million units during Q2 2008, up 5.3 percent from 39.8 million in Q2 2007. Attractive bundling schemes from operators and a number of new handset launches from vendors kept replacement rates at a healthy level."

Neil Mawston, Director at Strategy Analytics, added, "Motorola had a good quarter and retained its number one position in the USA, with a 25.8 percent marketshare. MotorolaÃ's strong distribution network and deep carrier-relationships proved crucial in maintaining share in both GSM and CDMA markets. Motorola is not yet out of the woods, but these are encouraging, early signs of stabilization."

The report also noted that Blackberry achieved double-digit marketshare in the USA for the first time, while LG returned to second position in the USA for the first time in almost 2 years, due partly to solid gains in the WCDMA market at AT&T.

Posted to the site on 11th August 2008