Samsung aims to double mobile mkt share

Korean electronic and telecom giant Samsung has revamped its distribution and organisational structure, aiming to double its market share in the mobile handset market to over 15 per cent by end of 2008.

"Samsung India has strengthened its distribution for mobiles by increasing its distribution strength in the country. Samsung mobile, which was handled by UTL and Telemart untill January this year, will now be strengthened with SSK in the West, and Link in the East," Sunil Dutt, Head, Mobile Division, told PTI.

Each of these distributors will now operate on a regional basis with Telemart handling North, UTL South, SSK West and Link East.

Dutt added that the company also plans to increase headcount in the handset division by 50 per cent. He, however, declined to give number of people to be recruited and the present strength.

The company, which has a manufacturing facility in Noida, is able to meet the local demand along with imports of high- end handsets.

Hoping that India will require 100 million handsets in 2008, Samsung is planning to have a share of 15 million mobiles in all segments, Dutt said adding, "we would like to have presence in all price segments and has lined up launch of a number of new devices during the year."

"Our enhanced distribution strength will help us reach out to our retail partners at a faster pace and address the needs of 85 per cent of the market in terms of our reach. Currently, the Samsung penetration level in the country for mobiles is around 55 per cent," Dutt said.

Samsung India has planned a slew of new launches across the imaging, music, business and lifestyle categories at the forthcoming Mobile Asia.

Besides, the company is also in discussion with all the leading service providers like Idea Cellular, Airtel, BSNL and others for a possible tie up to provide handsets along with mobile phone connections.

Although the discussions are at advance stage, no agreement has yet been inked with any of the operator.