China's mobile phone sales slid 1.8% to 343.4 million in the fourth quarter of last year, compared with the previous quarter, the China Daily reported, citing figures released by a Beijing-based consulting firm Analysys International.

Sales of GSM handsets reached 322 million, a quarter-by-quarter decline of 4.3%, mainly due to the global financial crisis and the upcoming 3G era.

Sales of CDMA handsets, however, jumped 49.3% to 2.15 million during the same period thanks to China Telecom Corp Ltd's<728><CHA> efforts in promoting its mobile service in the country.

Nokia Corp, the world's largest cell phone maker, ranked as the NO.1 mobile phone provider in China last year, with market share rising 2% to 37% from 35% in 2007. While Motorola has been losing market share in the country as it lacked competitive products featured 3G technology or touch-screens, according to China Knowledge's report earlier.

 Source:China Knowledge