Operator-branded handsets will bring in around $10.7 billion globally this year, an increase of almost 23 percent compared to the $8.7 billion earned in 2006. This is according to ABI Research, which predicts the market for operator-branded handsets will increase to 127 million units by 2011, due partly to greater customization needs. Another influencing factor will be low-end operator-branded handsets, which ABI predicts will start growing as a segment. (via the Mobile Weblog)