HELSINKI – The research firm, Gartner, predicts sales growth in the mobile phone market will slow this year due to several factors including the shaky global economy, increased competition, and the weak US dollar. Manufacturers will continue to infiltrate emerging markets as a means to increase sales. Although sales in Western Europe, a major region for phone makers, are expected to be similar to last year’s level, Gartner predicts a 5% decline in global market growth over 2007 figures.
 
In the second-quarter, 304.7 million mobile phones were sold globally with emerging markets pushing sales up 11.8% from last year. Nokia experienced the largest gains with its market share increasing to 39.5%, up from 36.7% the previous year.

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