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Chinese handset maker, ZTE, today launched six smartphones in the Indian market, under its own brand name. Until now, the company has been supplying its handsets to other manufacturers as well as operators who launched them under their own brand.
The fourth largest handset maker in the world said that they plan to sell a million handsets in the next six months in India. The prices of the smartphones it launched, ranges between Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000 apiece. “Each smartphone device has been introduced keeping in mind the unique needs of the Indian customers. With the initial launch of six devices, we will build further on our handset portfolio in the months to come. By the year end, we aim to have our pan-India presence with the smartphones,” said Xu Dejun, chief executive officer, ZTE India.
The company said that it is testing the market, and has not launched its high-end phones in the market. ZTE tied-up with Pune-based Calyx Telecommunications to market and distribute its smartphones in the market.
“We are an established player in the real estate, media and entertainment, solar power and hospitality sector. As we diversify our portfolio to distribution channel, we are delighted to partner and support ZTE with their pan-India expansion,” said Gaurav Somani, executive director, Calyx Telecommunications. ZTE also launched four new data card devices in the Indian market. It has also tied-up with Digilife for distribution of its new range of data cards.
ZTE also said that the handsets that they will launch under the brand, will be fresh launches. “It would be a fresh portfolio and will not include those handsets which are under other brands,” Yuan Kang, vice-president of ZTE India Handsets.
The company said that they intend to spend as much as $5 million (around Rs 30 crore) on branding and marketing its own brand of handsets in the next six months. “We are optimistic on our marketing and channel spends and looking at strengthening the brand from all fronts. Our distribution and sales structure is backed by a strong network of 214 service centers across the country,” said Dejun. They initially plan to market the handsets across 60 major cities and slowly spread it across the country.
