6 new handset models in Agra

UP on top of Hong Kong firm's list; Mobile handset market at rs 1,700 cr

The mobile handset market in Uttar Pradesh is estimated at about Rs 1,700 crore, with a demand for 34 lakh new handsets every year. The demand is especially among the young generation, which is keener on buying expensive handsets with handsets with cameras, MP3 players, and other gadgetry.

In view of this growing market for new third-generation handsets, Hong Kong-based Ningbo Bird Co Ltd, one of the top ten GSM and CDMA mobile handset-manufacturing companies in the world, launched six new handset models in Agra on Monday, with another four to be launched in June this year.

Taking to media persons at the Hotel Holiday Inn on this occasion, the company's director, sales, Rajesh Sharma, said the company had placed Uttar Pradesh at the top of its list in India and in this state, Agra ranked on top both technologically and alphabetically, with over 200,000 GSM mobile subscribers.

He said the company had sensed this demand for 3G handets in Agra, and in the first phase, six mobile handsets had been launched by the company, in the price range Rs 3,000-15,000. The second launch in June will feature four models, which will be 3G-compatible.

According to Sharma, currently, the company has a strong presence in many cities of India through a strong dealer network. The company had planned to launch more than 15 new mobile phone models in India in 2005, which will offer consumers a much wider choice.

The brand will also be receiving aggressive marketing support throughout the year as the company aimed to achieve a target of a 5 per cent market share in India by the end of December this year.

He said if achieved, this market share would match the company's position in the global market in which it holds the eighth position among the top ten mobile brands, with an annual turnover of $3 billion.