HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND – Over the next six years, sales of low-cost mobile handsets are expected to increase by 22% to over 700 million units, reports Juniper Research.
 
Nearly 80% of new users will come from emerging markets, with the majority coming from the Middle East and Africa.
 
Shipment volumes are expected to reach 166 million by 2014, representing 24% of sales for that year. Over the six-year period, shipments are expected to climb 54%, according to Juniper.
 
In the emerging markets, efforts are underway to lower handsets and services to under $5; benefits have already been realized in Bangladesh, Pakistan and India.
 
Companies are also developing content-driven services to encourage first-time users to continue using their devices.