Idea Cellular ties up with HTC Corp to launch touch phones

MUMBAI: Idea Cellular, a leading mobile service operator has entered into a tie up with Taiwan's handset manufacturer HTC Corp to offer two touch
phone models in India targetted at the premium segment.

Pradeep Shrivastava , chief marketing officer of Idea Cellular said at a press conference on Tuesday the market for premium segment in the country is estimated to be about 15 per cent of the overall market size.

He also said the ongoing recessionary trend may not affect the demand for these types of phones though customers may tend to be a little cautious before shifting to the new products.

The two Taiwan made models called HTC Touch Pro and HTC Touch Viva based on Windows mobile platform offer elegant touch screen experience .

HTC Touch Pro is priced at Rs 34,900 while HTC Viva will sell at Rs 16,490 at all HTC resellers across the country.

"The tie up between the two companies is not exclusive and there is no financial arrangement between them," Shrivastava said. Customers of other mobile service operator also could opt to buy these models .

"The two models embody our commitment to build a family of touch phones that are powerful, stylish and offer something for everyone", Jack Tong, Vice President, HTC Asia said.

HTC ,one of the fastest growing companies in mobile sector globally , earlier used to make handset for others but started marketing under HTC brand since 2006.

It has many firsts to its credit like being the first to offer microsoft 3g phone, microsoft powered smartphone and last year the touch screen model which allows finger tip navigation.

Source : Economic Times

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Tatas mull mobile handset foray with DoCoMo

MUMBAI: The Tatas, who stopped making fixed telephone instruments under the Tata Fone brand some years ago, plan a re-entry into the business by
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developing mobile handsets. Tatas will consider the feasibility of the project in collaboration with its new Japanese partner NTT DoCoMo, which has strong expertise in handset development besides managing next generation technologies.

DoCoMo has an extensive lineup of lifestyle-focused handsets tailored for varying customer needs and preferences like waterproof models, kids' models with GPS tracking and handsets with wellness applications
to monitor health and fitness.

DoCoMo has struck a strategic alliance with Tata Teleservices, including buying a 26% stake in Tata Tele. The co-operation between the two wireless carriers is being extended across marketing, handset development and technical support services.

" We will leverage DoCo-Mo's handset designing capabilities and work closely to bring out both high- and lowend models for our customers,'' said a Tata Tele executive. NTT DoCoMo president and CEO Ryuji Yamada said, ‘‘ The company is establishing a task force comprising its directors and technology experts to work on different areas with our Indian partner.''

Another Tata Tele official said, ‘‘ Given that the alliance has just been formed the business model would evolve over a period of time.'' Currently Tata group company DriveIndia .com procures and sells CDMA handsets from manufacturers like Samsung, Nokia, Huawei and Haeir. Tata Tele focuses only on providing mobile services, while group firm Tata Business Support Services handles customer queries and interactions for Tata Indicom and Virgin mobile. ‘‘ With DoCo-Mo as partner, the branding architecture could change,'' said the Tata official.

Source : Economic Times

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