Windows Mobile Cell Phones to Soar

Microsoft expects Windows Mobile software for cell phones to grow at least 50 percent per year in 2008 and 2009.

Microsoft Corp said expects global unit sales of its Windows Mobile software for cellphones to grow at least 50 percent per year in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 as demand for smartphones rises rapidly.

"Fifty percent growth is the minimum," said Eddie Wu, the software company's managing director of OEM embedded devices Asia.

Wu said Microsoft expects to sell 20 million units in its 2007/2008 fiscal year ending in June, and expects to grow at least 50 percent annually over the next two years. It sold over 11 million units of its Windows Mobile software in its 2006/2007 fiscal year ended June.

"We're actually still seeing very good growth (for our mobile software) in markets like Europe and the United States," said Wu.

Microsoft's mobile communications division provides operating systems for smartphones and other mobile devices based on the Windows Mobile platform. Its clients include South Korea's Samsung Electronics, Motorola, High Tech Computer and Asustek Computer.

Microsoft competes against Symbian-based operating systems which are used by vendors such as Nokia and LG Electronics.