GNET India to introduce low cost cell phones

GNET India Communication Private Limited, part of Taiwan-based ShenZhen 3GNET technology Ltd,is planning to introduce mobiles at RS 2000-3000 to tap the rural and urban masses in India.

Speaking at the launch of the GNET’s first model, G9000 in Kolkata, Louis Lu, managing director, GNET India said “We plan to start with high-end models and a small quantity in terms of sales, but by the end of the year we plan to sell roughly one lakh pieces per month with a host of low-end models ranging in the bracket of Rs 2000 and below, targetted at the rural and urban masses.” The company launched G900,priced at Rs 5,500, the first of the series in Kolkata today and plans to launch seven more by month-end and take it to Mumbai and Delhi.

It plans to start with mid-segment models with multimedia facility and then bring in lower end segment with high-end features by the end of the year.

At present, the mobile would be imported from the parent company in Taiwan, but going forth the company might also set up independent manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu. The total production capacity of 3GNET, the parent company of GNET is three lakh units per month.

“We plan to set up manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu by the end of 2010. The company has identified three locations on the Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu border. The investment plans are yet to be finalised,” said Lu. In Bengal, the company has tied up with 11 distributors, covering almost all the districts, in the South 20 offering them high profit margin.