CHINESE MOBILES TO RE-ENTER GSM HANDSET BUSINESS IN INDIA
NEW DELHI, Aug 11, 2008 (AsiaPulse via COMTEX News Network) --
Sensing strong revenue from
GSM based mobile handset business, Chinese major Haier is
planning to refocus on the same and is working with software
companies and US based Qualcomm to add more applications for
better functionality in its cellphones.
"We are more focused this time and are looking at GSM
business more aggressively," Haier Mobiles India Marcom
director Avijit Dutt said.
He added that, however, the company would not exit its CDMA
business.
"Though the company has done pretty well in the CDMA
business and among the top three handset players in this
category, it is seeing a better revenue inflow than the other
business. But, there is a limit as the operators are more
attracted towards the other technology, and the real money and
business is in GSM," he said.
The company which exited selling of GSM handsets two years
back, has made a comeback into the segment as it feels the
future growth is going to come from GSM.
In India, out of the 290 million mobile subscribers over 220
million users are GSM-based mobile users and with the entry of
leading CDMA players Reliance Communications (BSE:532712) and
Tata Tele (BSE:532371), the market in India is heading towards
a GSM market, said analysts.
Hier has launched three new models in this segment in the
price range of Rs 1,999 (US$47) to Rs 11,999.
The company is also closely working with a leading Indian
software firm and Qualcomm to develop some applications that
can be built into its handsets to give some 'unique' advantage
to the customers, he said.
These applications, the company said, which targets niche
customer segments like farmers, students and others, would be a
first of its kind service in the world.
(PTI)