Market picking up. - There has been improvement in the world mobile phones market, with growth of 5.6% in the third quarter of 2009 compared with the previous quarter, equating to 287.1 million phones sold, says a report by US intelligence firm IDC. The improvement, however, is relative, since the market is down 6% on the year. With a world market share of 37.8% and 108.5 million units sold, Nokia of Finland remains the world's largest group, but it turnover is falling (down 20% in the second quarter) and its market share has reduced from 38.6%. Its share of the growing “smart phones” market (new generation mobile phones incorporating services such as internet, email and GPS functions) has fallen from 41% to 35%. Sony Ericsson and Motorola, fourth and fifth in the market, are also regressing with respective penetration levels of 4.9% and 4.7% (or 14.1 million and 13.6 million units sold) compared with 8.4% and 8.3% a year earlier. By comparison, Korean companies are doing rather better: with a 21% market share and 60.2 million units sold, Samsung has moved into second place in the market, followed by LG Electronics (11% market share; 31.6 million phones sold). Sales by these two manufacturers have grown by 15.9% and 37.4% respectively compared with the same period last year. Sales of cheaper phones in emerging countries have increased their sales, unlike Sony Ericsson which concentrates solely on mid- and top of the range phones. (I.L.)