The domestic mobile phone market grew sharply in June, propelled by intense competition to lure new and rivals` subscribers and rising demand for DMB phones during the World Cup.

Sales rose more than 20% to 1.5 to 1.6 million units compared to some 1.13 to 1.14 million in May this year. This is the first time that monthly sales toped 1.5 million units, and experts forecast that the market would slow down to 1.4 to 1.5 million in July on the communication commission’s fines on wireless operators.

Samsung Electronics estimated that it sold some 710,000 units out of the total 1.5 million in June, accounting for 47.5% of the market. Shipments rose from 630,000 in the previous month, but the share slid from 53% to 47.5%.

"Sales of DMB, slim and slide phones were strong, but rivals outperformed to take some of our share of the market," said the company.

Pantech said that it sold 350,000 out of total 1.6 million units in July, grabbing 22% of the market. 150,000 SKY phones were sold, up 70,000 from the previous month. Sales of Curitel phones also rose 100,000 to 200,000 units.

"Many subscribers changes operators," said the company. "Demand for low-end handsets and DMB phones was also strong."

LG Electronics estimated that it sold 340,000 units in June, up more than 100,000 from May, accounting for 21.1% of the market. The company only command 16% of the market in April and 20.4% in May. The company sold a total of 1.63 million units in the first half of this year versus 1.37 million a year ago.

"Sales of slim TV phone launched in late April were strong on World Cup fever, and sales of Chocolate II and LGT Giboonzone also increased steadily," said the company. "Demand for new handsets such as HSDPA phones is also rising."