Mobile Phone Sales in Sweden to Remain Flat in 2002

Strategic Insights -

The Swedish mobile phone market has reached a point of saturation, with the number of mobile phones sold in Sweden expected to remain flat in 2002, following a dip in sales in 2001. The market is experiencing weak growth in new subscriptions and is waiting for the launch of new handset models. According to MobilTeleBranschen (MTB), a body grouping cellphone producers, wholesalers, and distributors, sales in 2001 will ease to 2.3 million units from 2.4 million in 2000, and stabilize around that level in 2002.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of mobile phones sold in Sweden will remain flat in 2002, following a dip in sales in 2001.
  • Sales in 2001 will ease to 2.3 million units from 2.4 million in 2000, and stabilize around that level in 2002.
  • The main reason for this is the weaker growth of new subscriptions and the fact that the market is waiting for new handset models.
  • The mobile phone market in Sweden has reached a point of saturation, with a penetration rate of 80 percent, boosted by 750,000 new subscriptions in 2001.
  • The global economic slowdown has hit the mobile phone market, with 2001 being the first year of slowing sales globally in the industry.
  • The launch of new models, including those with a color screen and other features, will stimulate the replacement market in 2002.
  • By the end of 2002, 1.5 million people in Sweden are expected to have a GPRS phone.
  • GPRS is expected to be a new source of revenue and a testing ground for third-generation mobile telephony.

Statistics:

  • 2.3 million mobile phones sold in Sweden in 2001
  • 2.4 million mobile phones sold in Sweden in 2000
  • 2.3 million mobile phones sold in Sweden expected in 2002
  • 750,000 new subscriptions in Sweden in 2001
  • 1.2 million new subscriptions in Sweden in 2000
  • 80 percent penetration rate in Sweden
  • 400,000-500,000 new subscriptions expected in Sweden in 2002
  • 120 billion euros invested in license fees for third-generation mobile telephony in Europe
  • 1.5 million people expected to have a GPRS phone in Sweden by the end of 2002

Sources:

  • MobilTeleBranschen (MTB), "Mobile phone sales to dip in Sweden in 2001"
  • MobilTeleBranschen (MTB), "Mobile phone market reaches saturation point in Sweden"