The maker of Nokia-branded smart and feature handsets, HMD Global, may shortly make an entry in the up-and-coming 4G feature handset sector that is receiving a huge support from Jio Phone of Reliance Jio controlled by Mukesh Ambani.
“Jio Phone is absolutely going to have an influence on the sector, and there is no doubt regarding it. We are witnessing how this materializes. If we view a viable commerce proposition, we will absolutely think about it and take part,” claimed India VP for HMD Global, Ajey Mehta, to the media in an interview.
Mehta claimed that the feature phone segment is very significant for the Nokia brand due to its possible size in the country. Nokia does have 4 feature handsets in India, comprising the new generation 3310 handset. “If there is an opportunity for business, certainly we are open to it. Our brand is very sturdy in that (feature phone) segment,” he further added. As per a Hong Kong-located research firm, 24 Million 4G feature handsets are expected to be transported by the end of 2017.
In the market of open handset, home-bred company Lava has already rolled out its 4G feature handset, while its larger rival, Micromax will shortly roll out its 4G feature handset in a joint venture with state-run BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited). The tie-up schemes comprise plans of free voice.
Presently, Spreadtrum and Qualcomm are offering chipsets for 4G feature handsets in the nation. Both firms individually claimed to the media that various Chinese and Indian ODMs and OEMs have plans to roll out 4G feature handsets utilizing their chipsets.
Nokia, once the biggest brand of handset, re-entered the country with Android-operated handsets, looking to make itself as one of the leading 3 smartphone companies, using the reputation of the brand. The manager claimed that user response has been optimistic. HMD Global, which launched last week in India its flagship handset Nokia 8, now anticipates a 40% to 50% growth in handset trades at the time of the festive season. “We have previously witnessed a vigorous traction,” he further added.
Well, let us see if this turns out to be true or not.