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Dispute Over Taxes on New Technologies Imported to EU; UCI Students Face Off for Finals
TECHNOLOGY
Consumers in emerging markets aren't showing signs of slowing their cell phone buying, according to the latest report from Stamford, Conn.-based market tracker Gartner Inc.
Worldwide sales totaled 294 million cell phones in the first quarter, up nearly 14% from the same period a year earlier, Gartner's data showed.
Most of the sales growth came from new subscribers in India, Asia, Africa and Latin America, where folks are snatching up inexpensive phones.
Each of those regions showed 20% or higher sales growth rates year-over-year, according to Gartner.
That's good news for Orange County companies such as Irvine's Broadcom Corp., Aliso Viejo-based Smith Micro Software IDC., Aliso Viejo's Networks In Motion Inc. and Anaheim's Multi-Fineline Electronix Inc.
The companies make chips, software and other parts for mobile phones and related devices.
Sales in "mature markets"-the U.S., Japan and Western Europe-are giving researchers pause.
Fewer consumers in those regions bought phones this year. The ones who did opted for the less snazzy models.
Western Europe saw cell phone sales drop more than 16% in the first quarter, the first decline for the region since Gartner began tracking the market in 2001.
"Mature markets felt the...