According to a new report by GSMA Intelligence, the research arm of the GSM Association (GSMA), the body that represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, Smartphones will account for two out of every three mobile connections worldwide by 2020.
[blockquote right=”pull-right” cite=”GSMA”]It forecasts that the number of smartphone connections will grow three-fold over the next six years, reaching six billion by 2020, accounting for two-thirds of the nine billion mobile connections by that time. Basic phones, feature phones and data terminals such as tablets, dongles and routers will account for the remaining connections. [/blockquote]
The report, titled “Smartphone forecasts and assumptions, 2007-2020”, reveals that smartphones currently account for one out of every three mobile connections, representing over two billion mobile connections.
It forecasts that the number of smartphone connections will grow three-fold over the next six years, reaching six billion by 2020, accounting for two-thirds of the nine billion mobile connections by that time. Basic phones, feature phones and data terminals such as tablets, dongles and routers will account for the remaining connections.
Hyunmi Yang, Chief Strategy Officer at the GSMA says “the smartphone has sparked a wave of global innovation that has brought new services to millions and efficiencies to businesses of every type,” As the study released today shows, smartphones will be the driving force of mobile industry growth over the next six years, with one billion new smartphone connections expected over the next 18 months alone.
In the hands of consumers, these devices are improving living standards and changing lives, especially in developing markets, while contributing to growing economies by stimulating entrepreneurship. As the industry evolves, smartphones are becoming lifestyle hubs that are creating opportunities for mobile industry players in vertical markets such as financial services, healthcare, home automation and transport.”
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