At least 65 percent of the 2G users want to change into 3G services in China, a report said. This offers great potential for 3G handset manufacturers as this shift in choice is expected to bring an additional 180 million 3G handsets, almost double to the same period of last year, in the country.
"With 3G commercially launched more and more users are likely to change their 2G handsets into 3G ones”, said Lu Renbo, vice secretary of China Electronic Chamber of Commerce.
Experts forecast that if the 3G handsets growth rate is maintained at 20% year on year, then there would be a 120-billion 3G handset market in China in 2009.
"At present, China's big 3 operators offer those who buy 3G handsets with big amount allowances, which causes the price of 3G handset to slump. So the total sales volumes are surging." President of Beijing division,D-phone Qi Feng said.
"At the same time, the style of handsets are being enriched." Looking at the vast potential China Telecom's iPhone 3G & 3GS,Nokia N97 and China Mobile's Ophone already have hit the market.