Nokia to Offer Touch-Screen Phones in India

Nokia will push ahead with plans to launch touch-screen phones in the Indian market, despite the higher price point such devices command. Talking to the Economic Times, Nokia India director (marketing) Vineet Taneja said Nokia wants to cash in on the popularity of touch phones in India.

"Studies have indicated that touch phones will account for nearly 40% of the Indian market by 2012. This represents a huge opportunity and we too will evolve our portfolio accordingly. We were waiting for the touch technology to mature before going full steam. Now is the right moment," he said.

The handsets are all slated to sell for price points above Rs. 13,000, but the firm expects to be able to push the price below the psychologically important Rs. 10,000 barrier next year. A report from IDC last month warned that with growth coming increasingly from lower-end segments in the region, phone makers in India will find their average selling prices and profit margins challenged.

On the web: Economic Times

Posted to the site on 31st May 2009