According to our WDS (Devices) research service, several hundred million handsets will flow through "closed" operator channels worldwide during 2015. Some regions are dominated by operator-led channels, while others are dominated by retailer channels. Notably, China is seeing significant changes in distribution flows at the moment.

Our extensive report -- available to clients here -- forecasts global mobile phone distribution flows by 8 channels for 6 major regions and 3 key countries from 2012 to 2020, including North America, Western Europe, Latin America, China, Japan and India. The forecasts can be used by handset vendors, vehicle makers, apps developers and others to identify and prioritize the main regional channels where mobile phones are being sold, and whether operators or retailers are winning the distribution wars.