02 September 2008

First half and second quarter results for 2008
Symbian growth slows in Q2, sales drop

Symbian Limited, the market leader in open operating systems for mobile phones, reported today a sharp slowdown in growth in the second quarter of 2008, as the global economic slowdown weighed on demand for multimedia phones and just a few new models reached the market.

Symbian's shipments rose just 5 percent to 19.6 million units in the three months to end-June, compared with a 17-percent growth rate in the previous quarter and more than 50 percent annual growth seen in late 2007, the firm said on Tuesday.

Symbian said turnover fell 14 percent to 37.8 million pounds ($68.26 million) in the three months compared with last year, as average royalties per phone fell to $3.40 from $4.30.

Nigel Clifford, Symbian CEO, commented:

“We are pleased to report that a total of 19.6 million Symbian mobile phones were shipped over 250 major network operators globally in the quarter. Symbian celebrated its tenth anniversary at the end of June, with a cumulative total of 225.9 million Symbian mobile phones shipped since formation. This number is based on nearly 250 models, designed and shipped by the world’s leading handset manufacturers.

In ten years we've achieved an enormous amount. Together with our customers we have invented, built and continue to lead the smartphone market. We are particularly pleased that our customers have reported that Symbian mobile phones are strong contributors to their financial performance and that each of our licensees has shipped at least one new Symbian mobile phone model since the beginning of 2008.

We’ve worked hard to extend the close collaboration with our customers and operators and have built a strong product pipeline. Our highly innovative product roadmap will ensure that Symbian OS continues to lead in the high-end converged device and smartphone markets whilst its penetration into the mid-range segments increases. As proof of this, there are now 159 Symbian phone models available in the global market from eight handset vendors – a rise of 30% over last year – and another 92 phone models are in development. This is reflected in an increased demand for consulting services by 76%.

Accelerating innovation and application development
Symbian Ready

In May 2008, Symbian launched the Symbian Ready technology validation program, designed to offer customers direct access to pre-validated ecosystem solutions. In addition to helping ecosystem partners make the most of Symbian OS technologies by developing in the most efficient way, Symbian Ready also offers ecosystem partners the opportunity to showcase their solutions to handset manufacturers and network operators through a variety of co-marketing initiatives such as the Symbian Ready Directory and promotion on Symbian Developer Network.

Symbian Ready is an umbrella program, comprising two strands at launch – Symbian Ready AUTO and Symbian Ready VERO. In Q2 2008, 6 ecosystem companies are undergoing validation through the Symbian Ready program, including, for Symbian Ready VERO, three of the top four NAND vendors are either validated for Symbian OS or engaged in validation.

Symbian Partner Network

Symbian launched its new partner program, the Symbian Partner Network (SPN). This new program replaces the Platinum Program and focuses on harnessing innovation by further strengthening the ecosystem, helping its members and customers to build compelling devices and solutions more quickly and at a lower cost. Key benefits to the SPN include enhanced marketing and business development opportunities as well as improved access to online developer support resources, including technology roadmaps and other documentation. Membership is now available at a new competitive annual membership fee of US$1,500.

Symbian Partner Network, along with other market leaders and visionaries including customers, media and analysts, will come together to help shape the future of mobile at the annual Smartphone Show in London, UK on 21st - 22nd October.

Symbian Foundation announcement

Symbian Limited remains focused on further strengthening the development and adoption of its open mobile platform with a vision of becoming the most widely used software platform on the planet. On 24th June, Nokia announced its intent to acquire the remaining Symbian shares that it didn’t already own and simultaneously announced, with other industry leaders, plans to establish the Symbian Foundation - major steps that follow our vision and mark the next stage in the evolution of Symbian OS.

Through the Symbian Foundation, mobile leaders plan to unify the Symbian software platform with user interface software and provide this new platform under a royalty-free license. The initiative is supported by all our major shareholders and Symbian management. Membership of this non-profit foundation will be open to all organizations and plans for the foundation have already received wide support from many industry leaders, with initial board members including five leading handset manufacturers (LG Electronics, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung Electronics and Sony Ericsson), leading operators (AT&T, NTT DOCOMO and Vodafone) and hardware manufacturers (STMicroelectronics and TI).