Much like the PC market, basic and feature mobile phone volumes are falling as consumers migrate not only to smartphones, but smartphones at low- and mid-tier price points.

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At the same time, smartphone penetration has risen and as tends to be the case in most consumer electronic markets, incremental share gains will have to come from mid-and lower-tier price points.

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Mr Carluccio points out that a two-tier labour market is matched by two-tier education.

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Everton, who like Fulham progressed to the group stages of Europe's second-tier competition on Thursday, registered their first points this season with a last-gasp 2-1 win at home to Wigan.

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In those markets, however, Apple has to content with a new breed of smartphone competition that are driving the price points well below the mid- and upper tier ones that Apple tends to compete in.

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The club currently sits 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League, England's top tier, and is on the verge of the 20th league title in its storied history.

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They have just 50 points between them after 35 games and must now prepare for life in England's second tier, the Championship, next season.

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