One fifth of all mobile phones are illegal clones, says Nokia

Andre Yoskowitz
22 Jan 2011 1:23

According to Nokia, 20 percent of all mobile phones sold in the world are illegal clones, unlicensed copies that sell for a fraction of the cost of phones they are copying.
The world's top mobile phone maker says the "gray market" is killing their positions in emerging markets like South America and parts of Asia.
Says Nokia exec Esko Aho:

It is mostly China-originated, but it is global. It is not only in Asia, but also in Latin America and even in some parts of Europe.

Research firm Gartner agreed with the assessment in November stating that no-brand manufacturers now account for 20 percent of global sales. Other firms have said the number is much lower, closer to 5 percent.