Global cell phone demand will rise: study

CHICAGO: Demand for cell phones that can be used anywhere in the world will

increase significantly over the next five years as international travel

increases, Cahners In-Stat Group said on Monday.

According to a study by Cahners, the total number of world phone subscribers

will rise to about 91 million in 2005 as international travelers grow at least

four per cent every year. Almost one in four travelers travel for business,

Cahners said. It estimates that the majority of business travelers have incomes

above $100,000 annually.

The communications research firm said global roaming revenues, or the fee

that wireless companies receive when another company's customer uses their

networks, are expected at about $29 billion in 2005. "Roaming revenues

generated by international travelers will prove to be an enormous sum as world

phone subscribers travel in greater numbers and with more diversity,"

Cahners said in a news release.

Currently the world's three largest mobile phone makers Nokia Corp., Motorola

Inc., and Ericsson, and Korea's Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. make so-called

world phones.

(C) Reuters Limited.