Nokia’s CEO Says 2006 Will Be a Strong Year

Nokia Corp. Chief Executive Jorma Ollila said the mobile phone market probably would grow more next year than researchers expected, helped by soaring demand in countries such as China.

“Much like this year,” unit sales will be “above third-party expectations” in 2006, Ollila said.

Gartner Inc. on Nov. 22 said handset volumes would grow 10% to 15% next year, down from 20% this year. The technology market research firm and competitors such as Strategy Analytics Inc. have increased their 2005 cellular phone market forecasts throughout the year.

Shares of Espoo, Finland-based Nokia have risen 28% this year.