Nokia has lost market share in western Europe for the first time in two years

Nokia has lost market share in western Europe for the first time in two years, as its rivals have launched a dual onslaught at both the top and bottom ends of the rapidly growing mobile phones market. According to a report released yesterday by Strategy Analytics, a US-based research firm, Nokia's share of shipments in the third quarter slipped to 42.1 per cent from 51.2 per cent in the same period last year. Nokia's loss of market share comes amid rocketing mobile phone sales across Europe, as penetration continues to rise and users upgrade to handsets with better features. According to the survey, handset sales in Western Europe have risen by 23 per cent year-on-year. Nokia has won huge customer loyalty in Europe with easy-to-use phones and its trademark mono-bloc or candy-bar shape. But many Asian manufacturers have been winning market share with folding "clamshell" phones. Nokia has won huge customer loyalty in Europe with easy-to-use phones and its trademark mono-bloc or candy-bar shape. But many Asian manufacturers have been winning market share with folding "clamshell" phones. Retailers said they expected Nokia sales in Europe to rebound in the fourth quarter as rivals such as Motorola and Siemens struggled to meet strong pre-Christmas demand. But they said Nokia had been suffering from increasing competition.