PDAPhones will grow at more than a 30% compound annual growth rate for the next five years globally, taking an increasing share of the overall phone market that is otherwise growing in single digits, reports In-Stat (http://www.in-stat.com). The unit volume of PDAPhones globally also exceeds the unit sales for laptops.

Users are experiencing significant value from their PDAPhones, the high-tech market research firm says. As a result they are downloading more applications and generating higher usage as measured by average revenue per user (ARPU) for wireless carriers. “Because of the value users are finding, organizations are slowly taking ownership of PDAPhones and data applications used for business purposes,” says Bill Hughes, In-Stat analyst. “Rather than having overcomplicated reimbursement plans, more organizations are finding it more expedient and economical to treat wireless voice and data services as a business expense when they use PDAPhones.”

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

• All PDAPhone OSs (other than the Palm OS) will grow at double digits over the next five years.
• A PDAPhone user that travels has twice the ARPU of a typical feature phone user.
• PDAPhone use will grow mostly from use as a laptop replacement, and as a tool to help manufacturers develop feature phones.

Recent In-Stat research, Smartphones 2007: The ARPU Generation Machine , covers the worldwide market for PDAPhones. It provides forecasts for PDAPhone sales by type through 2011. It also includes analysis of PDAPhone OSs, manufacturers, and their ecosystems. Extensive analysis of the worldwide market is provided including discussion of market drivers and barriers. Analysis of characteristics and behaviors of US smartphone users is included.