Big Cellphone Firms Move Into Low End

The US cellphone market is poised for another round of consolidation as large manufacturers turn their attention to the growing prepaid market, pressuring smaller rivals. Big cellphone makers with less popular smart phones have been focusing on the lower end of the market, churning out devices for customers who don't sign long-term contracts. According to Strategy Analytics, several smaller vendors will exit the market in the next 12 to 18 months, unable to compete with bigger vendors on features, pricing and branding power.