Entry Level Devices

Market Opportunities for Low Cost and Ultra Low Cost (ULCH) GSM and CDMA Handsets

Mobile operators in emerging markets such as India, China, South America and Africa are faced with a massive untapped customer base. To reach these customers operators need to offer both affordable phone plans, and affordable handsets. Today emerging markets are showing the highest rate of new subscriber growth and represent almost 40% of all handset shipments. As developed markets have nearly reached full penetration, these emerging markets offer the best growth potential over the near- and mid-term. In order to maintain or increase global market share, it will be vital for handset manufacturers to succeed in these markets over the next five years.

This study discusses current and future market opportunities for entry-level handsets. It provides insight into the key requirements for success in emerging markets, as well as the requirements of mobile operators in servicing emerging market customers. In addition to market information, this report highlights critical considerations for handset vendors to navigate when designing and marketing entry level devices to meet the needs of emerging market customers. It includes forecasts detailing shipments of entry level and ultra low cost handsets across key markets, entry level revenues by region and forecast average selling prices for the 2008 to 2014 period.

What Questions Does This Report Answer?

  • What are the key drivers and the latest trends influencing the market for entry level handsets?
  • What will be the impact of entry level handsets on the handset market?
  • What vendors provide or will provide handsets for the entry level market and what is their expected market share?
  • Which feature sets have developed within the entry level market, and why?
  • What are the current and future feature sets that will be seen in the ultra low-cost handset segment?
  • What are the critical considerations for handset manufacturers, semiconductor manufacturers and mobile operators in addressing the entry level market?
  • What is the impact of handset royalties on the entry level market?
  • What can be the impact of second-hand and grey market handsets on the entry level market?
  • What price will low cost and ultra low cost handsets reach by 2014?

Who Needs This Report?

  • Handset manufacturers/vendors
  • Semiconductor vendors
  • Mobile operators and MVNOs
  • ODMs and OEMs
  • Mobile device operating system vendors
  • Financial institutions involved with mobile communications
  • Venture capitalists and other investors.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary: Top-Line Forecast
Executive Summary: Drivers
Executive Summary: Inhibitors
Executive Summary: Market Share
Executive Summary: Summary and Strategic Recommendations

Section 1.
Executive Summary
1.1. Entry-Level Handsets
1.2. Drivers
1.3. Barriers
1.4. Market Forecasts

Section 2.
Market Issues
2.1. Entry-Level Handset Segmentation
2.1.1. Application Support
2.2. Key Markets
2.3. Price Points

Section 3.
Market Drivers and Barriers
3.1. Growth of Emerging Markets
3.1.1. Emerging Market Subscriber Bases
3.1.2. Emerging Market Handset Shipments
3.2. GDP per Capita
3.3. Average Revenue per User
3.3.1. Subsidization
3.3.2. Contracts
3.4. Gray Markets
3.5. Royalties
3.5.1. CDMA Licensing Comparison
3.6. Single-Chip Approach
3.7. Supportive Governmental Policies
3.8. Limited Global Competitors
3.9. Access to Power
3.10. Global Economic Downturn

Section 4.
Critical Considerations for Emerging Markets
4.1. Handset Lifespan
4.2. Import Tariffs
4.3. Local Manufacturing
4.4. Handsets as Status Symbols
4.5. Distribution Channels
4.6. Accessories
4.7. Language Support
4.8. Feature Sets
4.8.1. ULCH Feature Sets
4.8.2. Entry-Level Feature Sets
4.9. 3G (WCDMA) Entry Devices
4.9.1. GSMA ‘3G for All'
4.9.2. WCDMA Royalty Rates

Section 5.
Market Forecasts
5.1. Methodology
5.1.1. Segmentation Definitions
5.1.2. Global Handset Shipment Trends by Region and Technology
5.1.3. Forecasting the Entry-Level Market
5.2. New Product Diffusion Model
5.2.1. Deriving the Growth Coefficients
5.2.2. Key Market Assumptions
5.3. Key Market Forecasts

Section 6.
Company Directory
Acronyms
Scope of Study
Sources and Methodology
Notes





Tables
  • Wholesale ASP Trends by Technology, World Market: 1Q 2004 to 4Q 2008
  • Wireless Handset Shipments by Value Segment, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Wireless Handset ASP by Value Segment, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Entry-Level Handset Shipments by Technology, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • ULC Handset Shipments by Technology, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Entry-Level Handset Shipments, Key Regions, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • ULC Handset Shipments, Key Regions, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Entry-Level Handset Revenue, Key Regions, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • ULC Handset Revenue, Key Regions, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Total Handset Shipments, Key Regions, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • IMF Purchasing Power Parity, Key Regions, Forecast: 2008 to 2010
  • Annual Revenue per User per Year, Key Regions, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Entry-Level Handset Shipments, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014

Charts
  • Wireless Handset Shipments by Value Segment World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Entry-Level Handset Shipments by Technology World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Handset Feature Penetration, ULC Handsets: 2008
  • Handset Feature Penetration, Entry-Level Handsets: 2008
  • Wireless Handset Shipments by Value Segment, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Entry-Level Handset Shipments by Technology, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014