Apple optimistic of capturing the growing share of India's market
The Dollar Business Bureau Apple CEO Tim Cook has expressed resounding optimism for growth prospects of the underpenetrated brand in India – the world's third-largest smartphone market. "We’re very optimistic about our future in this remarkable country with its very large, young, and tech-savvy population, fast-growing economy, and improving 4G network infrastructure,” Cook said in the second quarter results earnings call yesterday. Talking about India's investment in 4G infrastructure, Tim also said that growing 4G network in the country was a positive indication for Apple to concentrate more of its efforts in establishing a local presence. “But they are moving fast. They’re moving at a speed that I have not seen in any other country in the world once they were started, and it is ...
We want to increase our penetration into neighbouring countries: Zen Mobile
Interview by Manishika Miglani India has several domestic mobile brands which are trying to compete with the international companies flooding the handset market in the country. Zen Mobile is one such home-grown mobile manufacturer which is a pioneer in bringing affordable devices to the Indian shores while currently holding 4-5% market share in the feature phone segment. In an interview with The Dollar Business, Sanjay Kalirona, Chief Executive Officer, Zen Mobile, talks about the expansion plans of the company including its vision to start exporting and consolidating the 4G product portfolio. TDB: Zen Mobile currently has a 4-5% market share in feature phones in the Indian market. What is your growth forecast for 2017-18 in terms of expanding this share? Sanjay Kalirona (SK): We are growing at a fast ...
Government looking to impose 5% - 10% duty on import of phones
The Dollar Business Bureau After the roll-out of Goods and Services Tax in July, the government proposes to impose a 5% - 10% customs duty on imported handsets. The import restriction is being suggested to push local manufacturing of mobiles, for which, India is currently the second biggest global market. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, in consultation with the Attorney General, has confirmed that the proposed hike in import duty will not violate the Information Technology Agreement (ITA). The Ministries of IT, Commerce, Finance and Telecom are going to further examine the tax proposition. Reportedly, 30% of handsets sold in the country are imported. To help Indian manufacturing units compete with cheap imports, mostly from China, the Indian government is mulling a tariff barrier. The move will force affordable phone ...
Foxconn Chief discusses export incentivisation with Commerce Min
The Dollar Business Bureau Foxconn Country Head and MD Josh Foulger paid a courtesy visit to Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitaraman on March 21, 2017. Among other things, the two leaders discussed export incentives for mobile phones. The manufacturing contractor for some of the biggest global brands like Apple expressed concerns over increased costs due to 2% import duty imposed on printed circuit boards. As a result, the domestic industry has suffered from uncompetitive prices in the manufacturing of feature phones and related accessories Foulger said. The industry had demanded a slew of measures for export incentivisation earlier in anticipation of the budget. The increase of credit under Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) from the current 2% rate to 5% was one of the most voiced out wishes. Under MEIS, exporters are credited in ...
Govt allows import of mobile phones without panic button till end of February
The Dollar Business Bureau The Department of Telecom on Wednesday relaxed mobile phone importing norms and allowed shipments of cell phones without a panic button or emergency calling feature till February 28. “It has been decided by the competent authority that the import of mobile phone handsets without panic button/emergency call button feature prescribed as per ‘Panic Button and Global Positioning System Facility’ in all mobile phone handsets Rules 2016, shall be allowed till February 28, 2017 wef January 1, 2017,” DoT said in a statement. Last April, the government had mandated that all mobile phones must have a panic button installed from January 1, 2017. According to the order, pressing the panic button will connect the users to a single emergency ...
Smartphones prices should come down to $30 in India: Pichai
The Dollar Business BureauGoogle CEO Sundar Pichai on Thursday underlined that entry-level smartphones in India need to be priced around $30 to facilitate people with the Internet and digital services. Speaking at IIT-Kharagpur, Pichai said the focus should also be given to local language support and improving connectivity in India. “I would love to see cheaper smartphones, entry-level smartphones. I think really we need to bring the prices down even more, maybe at $30 level. He said Google was in continuous talks with Indian stakeholders to roll out many projects under the government’s Digital India scheme. It already has forged a partnership with RailTel for offering Wi-Fi services at railway stations and with the NPCI for enabling digital payments across the country. Mr. Pichai said he ...
Demonetisation to give fillip to m-commerce in India
The Dollar Business Bureau Demonetisation will be giving the much-needed push to the m-commerce industry with a report predicting a huge shift of retail commerce to mobiles in the near future. According to CII Grant Thornton report on m-commerce, demonetisation is exactly what will benefit the already growing m-commerce ecosystem in India. m-commerce is the buying and selling of goods and services through mobile phones. The report underlined the rising smartphone usage coupled with banning of Rs. 500 and Rs 1,000 notes as making a strong case for the m-commerce industry to flourish. The growth of the former can be attributed to the availability of affordable smartphones and mobile data plans. This is being further consolidated with the entry of new service providers such as ...
Make in India gets a boost: Oppo, Vivo to set up mfg units in UP
The Dollar Business Bureau The ‘Make in India’ campaign of the Indian government has got another boost with Oppo and Vivo, the Chinese smartphone makers, planning to invest Rs.2000 crore each in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The companies intend to set up manufacturing facilities as part of their development plans in the country. According to the latest news reports, the two phone makers, have a good offline presence in the domestic market and are keen to build large-scale complexes, having manufacturing units, space for suppliers and staff. Both the firms may get 200 acres of land in Greater Noida (UP). Although there are several international and local brands in India, the entry of Chinese players has brought about considerable change in the ...
