Wave Issue 0512 3/25/05 Article 9-01

***Global Survey Finds That Mobile Phones Are Replaced Most
Frequently, but with a Cost; Consumers' Purchasing Habits Have
Large Environmental Impact

CTIA Wireless 2005

SEATTLE
March 18, 2005

In a recent survey of 20,000 consumers worldwide, a recent
GMIPoll found that mobile phones' latest models are the most
coveted in 20 of the world's top economies including the USA, UK,
China, Russia and India. When consumers were asked what
technology they most frequently upgraded, 63 percent cited mobile
phones.

The proportion of consumers who are swapping older for the newest
models is highest in the fastest growing and potentially largest
markets for mobile services, including Asia and South America.
Almost 75 percent of consumers surveyed in India and China, and
67 percent in South America, said they upgraded their mobile more
frequently than any other technology. This compares to 47 percent
of American and 38 percent of French consumers.

This and other findings highlight how new consumer technology
products are transforming markets worldwide, but also adding to a
growing environmental problem of the waste generated by old
technology being disposed of for the latest models. By 2005, 100
million mobiles will be thrown out annually in Europe alone. In
the United States, nearly 130 million cell phones -- totaling
about 65,000 tons of waste -- will be thrown away every year,
according to a recent study by INFORM, Inc., an independent
research organization. Disposed mobile phones are growing faster
than the volume of waste overall, according to recycling experts.
Toxins associated with this waste include heavy metals and
poisons such as arsenic, lead, and mercury.

Despite the media alarmism, environmental concerns appear to be
having little or no impact on making people think twice about
replacing their mobile phones with new models. According to the
GMIPoll results, only nine percent of American consumers and 12
percent of UK consumers take environmental impact into account
when upgrading new technology; however, in other parts of the
world, namely India and China -- 20 and 26 percent respectively -
- said environmental reasons could prohibit them from upgrading.

The GMIPoll found that the overwhelming factor in buying a new
model mobile devise is cost and contract terms, with 79 percent
of consumers surveyed saying this would stop them from upgrading;
in India and China, the major factor was also cost.

Full findings from the poll can be found at

www.gmipoll.com