Symbian Limited Reports Strong Financial and Operational Growth in First Quarter 2005

Strategic Insights -

Symbian Limited, the software licensing company that develops and licenses Symbian OS, the global open industry standard operating system for advanced, data-enabled mobile phones, has reported strong financial and operational growth for the first quarter of 2005. The company's unaudited financial and operational figures for the quarter ended 31st March 2005 show significant year-on-year growth in shipments of Symbian OS phones, with a total of 48 phones shipping to network operators around the world. This growth is driven by the company's strong position in advanced 3G markets, particularly in Japan, where 12 of the 48 phones based on Symbian OS currently shipping are designed for 3G networks.

Key Takeaways:

  • Symbian OS shipments grew strongly in the first quarter of 2005 to 6.75m, representing more than 180% year-on-year growth.
  • A total of 48 Symbian OS phones were shipping to network operators around the world in the quarter, with nine new phones launched during the quarter.
  • Nine of these phones were launched during the quarter by companies such as Fujitsu, Mitsubishi, Nokia, and Panasonic, demonstrating Symbian's strong position in advanced 3G markets.
  • Symbian continues to strengthen its market-leading position in advanced 3G markets, particularly in Japan, where 12 of the 48 phones based on Symbian OS currently shipping are designed for 3G networks.
  • Mitsubishi launched its first Symbian OS product for NTT DoCoMo's 3G FOMA network in Q1 2005, while Fujitsu has launched a total of eight Symbian OS products for NTT DoCoMo's FOMA network over the past two years.
  • Seven new Symbian OS products were announced by Lenovo, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, Samsung, and Sendo at the 3GSM international mobile industry tradeshow in February 2005.
  • A total of 41 phones and variants were under development by 11 Symbian OS licensees at the end of Q1 2005, up from 30 phones and variants in Q1 2004.
  • Symbian OS licensees are targeting a wide variety of customer segments, languages, geographical markets, and 2.5G and 3G network standards.
  • Technology development is focused on ensuring Symbian OS competes effectively with proprietary operating systems as a platform for higher volume, mid-tier phones.
  • Symbian has licensed Microsoft's Exchange Server ActiveSync protocol to enable Symbian OS-based phones to directly synchronize with email and other personal information management (PIM) data supported by Microsoft Exchange Server 2003.

Statistics:

  • 6.75m Symbian OS shipments in Q1 2005, representing more than 180% year-on-year growth.
  • 48 Symbian OS phones shipping to network operators in Q1 2005.
  • 9 new Symbian OS phones launched in Q1 2005.
  • 12 Symbian OS phones designed for 3G networks, with a strong focus on advanced 3G markets.
  • 11 Symbian OS licensees with 41 phones and variants under development at the end of Q1 2005.
  • 8 Symbian OS products launched by Fujitsu for NTT DoCoMo's FOMA network over the past two years.
  • 7 new Symbian OS products announced by Lenovo, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, Samsung, and Sendo at the 3GSM international mobile industry tradeshow in February 2005.
  • 41 phones and variants under development by 11 Symbian OS licensees at the end of Q1 2005.

Sources:

  • Symbian Limited press release, dated May 10, 2005.
  • Symbian Limited financial and operational figures for Q1 2005.
  • Symbian Limited website.
  • Symbian Limited annual report, 2004.