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Bluetooth-Enabled Phones

This month’s Wireless Bulletin examines the sales, penetration, and usage of Bluetooth technology in mobile phones. Our new format – similar to last month’s examination of music-enabled phones – allows you to make direct comparisons between the two handset attributes.

Sixty-nine percent of phones sold in Q2 2007 were Bluetooth-enabled, a 48 percent increase over Q3 2006.

From Q3 2006 to Q2 2007, the number of Bluetooth-enabled phones in the subscriber base increased 73 percent.

The use of Bluetooth is increasing steadily. In Q2 2007, 16 percent of subscribers used Bluetooth connectivity on their phones – up 67 percent since Q3 2006.

Among consumers with Bluetooth-capable phones, the percent who actually use the technology has remained relatively unchanged from quarter to quarter, with 42 to 44 percent using Bluetooth.

Conclusions:

Handset manufacturers are incorporating Bluetooth technology into an increasing number of phone models.

The penetration of this functionality into the install base is growing.

The result is a growing number of people using Bluetooth.

However, of the consumers with Bluetooth-capable phones, only slightly more than four out of 10 take advantage of the functionality; this number has not changed in the last year.