Demand surges for 3G mobile phones

Dubai: Demand for third-generation or 3G mobile phones is growing rapidly in the UAE as the average user in the region is becoming more tech savvy, an official said.

"Factors contributing to this phenomenal growth include a better understanding of the technology, more affordable 3G handsets available on the market, and the growth of 3G networks," Matthew Ramljak, Axiom Group Retail Manager, said.

Quoting GFK data, he said more than 1.3 million 3G mobile phone units were purchased up to September 2008 in the UAE compared to just over 820,000 in all of 2007.

This illustrates an increase of more than 62 per cent in the sales in the past year alone and this year it is expected to touch 1.5 million.

Mass user migration

"The surge in mobile sales is due, in large part, to the mass migration of users from traditional voice-only mobiles to more sophisticated third-generation mobile technology widely adopted across the Middle East in the last few years," he said.

3G was initially marketed as a video conferencing tool but has gained more popularity in other applications such as music downloading, multiplayer gaming, online chat, positioning services and live business updates.

Mobile phone users continue to be attracted to 3G's impressive wide-area wireless voice telephony, video call and broadband wireless data capabilities, provided at commercial data transmission speeds of over 3.6 mbps.

He said customers want to know all their possible 3G options, both in terms of sales and after-sales support, and they will expect the retailer to play the role of expert advisor in addition to salesperson.

According to an Informa report, one early barrier to subscription was a lack of WCDMA handsets in the UAE.

Major vendors said that etisalat needs to develop services for 3G subscribers and promote the technology more effectively.

Do you have a 3G option on your mobile phone? Have you ever used it? What features do you look for while buying a mobile phone?