US : According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, mobile phone shipments in the United States defied the economic gloom and grew 5 percent annually, to reach 42 million units during Q2 2008. Motorola had a strong quarter and maintained its number one position in the region.

Bonny Joy ( inset ), Analyst at Strategy Analytics said, “Despite economic fears and a tightening on consumer-spend, mobile phone shipments in the United States reached 41.9 million units during Q2 2008, up 5.3 percent from 39.8 million in Q2 2007. Attractive bundling schemes from operators and a number of new handset launches from vendors kept replacement rates at a healthy level.”

Neil Mawston, Director at Strategy Analytics, added, “Motorola had a good quarter and retained its number one position in the USA, with a 25.8 percent marketshare. Motorola’s strong distribution network and deep carrier-relationships proved crucial in maintaining share in both GSM and CDMA markets. Motorola is not yet out of the woods, but these are encouraging, early signs of stabilization.”

Other findings from Strategy Analytics’ report -- Blackberry Blows Past 10% Share in North America in Q2 2008 -- include:

• Blackberry achieved double-digit marketshare in the USA for the first time. The Canadian firm is seeing huge success with its balanced portfolio of consumer and enterprise handsets;
• LG returned to second position in the USA for the first time in almost 2 years, due partly to solid gains in the WCDMA market at AT&T.