[Compete's May mobile handset report results show shoppers are looking for free phones, style and color.]

Boston -- Compete, Inc. today announced the May results of its mobile handset report which shows that fashion, color and price are driving mobile shopping behavior this summer. The monthly report reveals that free phones have increased in popularity in recent months, and now comprise half of the ten most popular handsets. The report also indicated color phones are generating strong interest among consumers based on the success of the Motorola RAZR and PEBL models and the T-Mobile Sidekick.

"In a nod to summer, consumers are shopping clamshells and color more than usual," said Miro Kazakoff, Senior Associate in Compete's Wireless Practice. "Except where unique handset styles justify a premium, we see consumers gravitating toward free phones this summer - a telling shift from the winter holiday season."

Top Ten Most Shopped Mobile Phones

May 2006 Source: Compete, Inc.

1 Motorola RAZR Cingular, T-Mobile, Verizon

2 Samsung t509 T-Mobile

3 Samsung e365 T-Mobile

4 Nokia 6101 T-Mobile

5 Sony Ericsson Z520a Cingular

6 Motorola V557 Cingular

7 T-Mobile Sidekick II T-Mobile

8 Verizon PN-215 Verizon Wireless

9 Motorola PEBL T-Mobile

10 Sony Ericsson W600i Cingular

Note: The Motorola RAXR and the T-Mobile Sidekick II are the only two of the top ten that are not available for free.

Other highlights from the May report include:

* The RAZR continues to be the most shopped handset series. Availability across three major carriers, as well as the popularity of the Pink RAZR, has kept interest well above challengers;

* New PEBL and Sidekick editions are attracting significant interest from shoppers. T-Mobile introduced green, blue and orange versions of the PEBL in May, while Pink Juicy Couture and Black Mr. Cartoon launch limited edition versions of the Sidekick II;

* The Samsung t509 is a new addition to the top ten list. Billed as the world's thinnest phone and the only candy bar on the list, the t509 demonstrates consumer interest in slim profile phones.

* Bluetooth, which enables consumers to wirelessly connect handsets to accessories and vehicle hands-free systems, continues to grow in popularity. Six of the top ten devices incorporate Bluetooth; in May, shoppers could get free Bluetooth-enabled handsets online at Cingular (Motorola V557 and Sony Ericsson Z520a handsets).

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