GfK Asia releases its 2005 Pan Asian Mobile Phone and Digital Imaging summary today which shows the region's mobile phone market grew by 16 percent in volume, however, camera phones lead the market in both volume and value at 100 percent and 57 percent respectively against 2004 figures. Over 191 million units were sold in the Asian region with a market value of $US 34.8 billion.

The camera phone segment showed dramatic growth in every market; in many cases camera phones doubled, tripled, or even quadrupled the previous year's sales volumes. Of the eleven Asian countries studied* by GfK Asia, China continues to dominate the market, leading with volume increase in color camera phone volumes up approximately 149 per cent year on year, and reached GfK's previously forecasted sales volume of over 110 million units at the end of 2005. Other notable volume growth markets include: Thailand up 83 percent, Cambodia up 108 percent and India posting an enormous 275 percent growth compared with the same period in 2004.

Extraordinary growth was also seen in Vietnam in 2005, with total Mobile phone sales volumes up 144 percent compared against 2004 year on year figures. The market volume is forecast to grow a further rate of 46 percent in 2006. "This surge is in some measure due to the change in taxation which made foreign products more price-competitive in Vietnam, however we are also seeing an increase in local operators and their efforts in gaining subscribers are certainly driving growth in this market," said Stanley Kee, GfK's Commerical Director, Asia - Imaging & Telecommunication. He added, "The growth in camera phones continues in this booming Asian market and it is nowhere near being saturated. We are seeing strong growth for the established players, as well as exciting opportunities for new players entering the market. GfK is projecting a further 17% percent volume growth for total mobile phone market across Asia in 2006."

The popularity of digital imaging carried into the regional market for digital cameras, with an average growth of 29.5 percent in sales volumes compared with the same period in 2004. 13.6 million digital cameras have been sold from January to December 2005, and the forecast for total regional sales volume for 2006 is over 15.6 million units. The majority of digital camera sales are in the compact category, but the SLR category is also demonstrating rapid growth, with sales volumes doubling compared with 2004.

China dominates the market for digital cameras, showing a 58 percent growth in 2005 compared with the same period in 2004. More than one in every three digital cameras sold in the region in 2005 was sold in China.

Overall, Asia saw the biggest digital camera unit growth from 2004 to 2005 with a 36 percent increase. In North America sales increased 19 percent and in Europe they grew 15 percent. The only area to see a decrease was Japan with a slight drop of 2.5 percent.

About GfK Asia Pte Ltd

GfK Asia Pte Ltd (GfK Asia), part of the global GfK Group, is a leading research company with over 15 years experience in providing reliable Asian retail and technology market data. Our analysts track a broad range of consumer technology markets, including: consumer electronics, telecommunications, IT, household electrical appliances (large and small) as well as digital imaging. GfK Asia covers 55 product groups and over 300,000 models, collecting monthly data from over 6,000 specialist / independent shops as well as over 170 organised retailers with approximately 15,000 outlets. This disciplined methodology, together with tight field operational control in every country, allows GfK Asia to produce high quality reports containing reliable information that our clients can use with confidence.

Based in Singapore, with other offices in India and Japan, GfK Asia offers extensive coverage of the following countries: China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Australia. For further information please visit our website: http://www.gfkms.com .

About The GfK Group

The GfK Group is the No. 4 market research organization worldwide. Its activities cover five business divisions, Consumer Tracking, HealthCare, Retail and Technology, Media and Custom Research. In addition to 15 German subsidiaries, the company has over 120 subsidiaries and affiliates located in 57 countries. Of a current total of around 8,000 employees, approx. 1,500 are based in Germany. For further information, visit our website: http://www.gfk.com .

Editors Notes:

* Data for mobile phone sales from China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia and India. Data for digital camera sales from China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.

GfK China monthly mobile phone retail sales tracking covers GSM, CDMA as well as PHS network.

Detailed data breakdown available upon request.

In the process of joining AFTA recently, Vietnam adjusted its tax rates for imported goods. Taxes on imported electronic components fell from 15%-30% in 2004 to 5%-20% in 2005.

Media Contact:

Lisa Williamson

Bryant Williamson Communications

Tel: +65-9100-4097

Email: lisa@bryantwilliamson.com

Source: prnewswire