Siemens aims at 15% share of handsets business

Siemens Information and Communication Mobile, the euro 11 billion company which is a part of the German industrial group Siemens, sees India as the focus area for its mobile communications business.

It has targeted over 15 per cent share in the GSM mobile handsets market here.

Peter Gartenberg, executive vice-president, Siemens Ltd, ICM Mobile phones division, said, "We are entering the Indian market with full force. It is the last major growth market in the world."

The GSM market has been growing at least by 40 per cent and currently over 15 million people are mobile phone users in the country.

"In the global market place we have a market share of 15 per cent. We expect to surpass that within one year in India," says Gartenberg.

Towards pushing volumes, Siemens has also tied up with service providers such as Spice, Escotel and Idea to bundle its handsets with their tariff plans.

Since India has developed into a significant market in its global radar, Siemens ICM Mobile has chalked out a strategy for the growing Indian market.

This includes tailor-made handsets considering the rough Indian environment.

"We are introducing a large product portfolio. In addition to entry-level A 55 phone at a range lower than Rs 5,000 we are introducing high quality products like SL 55, S55, M55 with detachable cameras."

The high-end mobile phones will be in the range of Rs 10,000 and Rs 24,000.

"We are also setting up service and customer centres. By September 15, we will have at least 100 new service centres to handle customers enquiries and problems across the country," Gartneberg added.

Earlier, the company announced a partnership with Tech Pacific, IT distribution company, to roll out a nationwide sales and service distribution network of over 2,000 retail outlets.