Consumers Intend to Buy Mobile Phones & MP3 Players, Says Ipsos MediaCT

By Editor Wireless and Mobile News on July 7, 2008 12:14 PM

Consumers have strong intentions to buy mobile devices this year, according to research conducted by Ipsos MediaCT. Consumers in 11 key markets around the world, especially the fast-growing economies of India, China, and Brazil, have strong demand for mobile devices--including cell phones, MP3 players, hand-held gaming devices, and laptop PCs.

The report shows a shift in reported consumer purchasing behavior in the developing world. In some countries, consumer demand is being driven by consumers who are looking to replace older models while in other countries new buyers are driving demand. These differences have important implications for manufacturers and service providers.

n fast growing urban China, nearly half of urban Chinese households will buy a mobile phone this year, but since virtually all households (98%) already own at least one, the market for new buyers is saturated," says Donna Wallace, Vice President of Ipsos MediaCT.

Urban Brazil is a hot spot for new buyers of mobile devices and leads the world in household demand for hand-held gaming devices, MP3 players, and mobile phones. However with three times more people, total mobile device sales in urban China may actually exceed those sold in Brazil.

"A complex picture is emerging, but one thing is clear--consumer demand for mobile devices is especially strong in developing countries, particularly for mobile phones and MP3 players," Wallace concluded.