IMG - Let Your Imagination Run Wild

Nokia sees 3G handset sales doubling in 2006
Fri Dec 23, 2005 10:08 AM ET

HELSINKI, Dec 23 (Reuters) - Nokia (NOK1V.HE: Quote, Profile, Research) expects good growth in third generation (3G) mobile handset sales next year with global volumes set to double, Chief Financial Officer Rick Simonson said on Friday.
"We expect the devices to double in volume in 06," Simonson said in an interview with CNBC, when asked about the outlook for 3G handsets, which enable fast data connections and more sophisticated functions like video calls.

U.S.-based rival Motorola Inc.'s (MOT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) mobile devices head Ron Garriques said in an interview published earlier this week that he expected increasing sales of 3G phones in 2006, but did not see it as a breakthrough year for the 3G market.

Simonson also repeated the Finnish company's forecast for handset sales volumes overall to grow by more than 10 percent in 2006.

"You're looking at approaching 900 million plus units next year," he told CNBC.

Nokia has forecast global mobile phone sales from all handset makers to total 780 million units for 2005. (Additional reporting by Sinead Carew in New York)