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.
SAN DIEGO – RF Industries (RFI) reported second-quarter net sales fell 22% from last year to $3.5 million. For the quarter ended April 30, net income dropped 60% from $542,000 to $214,000.