Mobile phone shipments to grow 6% in 2005

The mobile phone market keeps humming along-on pace for a fourth consecutive record year in 2005 in terms of unit volumes, reports In-Stat. The rate of growth, however, is slowing from the double-digit pace seen in the past few years, the high-tech market research firm says. Shipments should grow just under 6% year-over-year. The top five manufacturers will once again carve out the largest share of the market, accounting for approximately 80% worldwide. Worldwide handset revenue is expected to approach $112 billion. India, China and Eastern Europe are leading growth in emerging markets.