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How has windows mobile grown since its inception in India? What kind of products are you offering?
Windows mobile started in January 2006. It took us three to four months to get the basics, and work started in June 2006. We have seen exponential growth in India in nine months. We provide operating systems going into three types of product pure play PDA, PDA phone and Pure Play smart phone. Over the last six months, we have done about 50,000 pieces. We don't operate ourselves, and we have four key device players in India I-mate, O2, Duopod and HP, which are fully on windows operating system. We have grown about 400% in 2006.
What is your market share in this segment? How do you compare yourself with other players in this segment?
According to IDC, our market share is17.2% as compared to Blackberry, which is at 11.4%. In 2006, we outsold it in just six months. Email is becoming an important application on the move, and we have a huge advantage in this segment because we provide it in a cheaper and more secure manner. There is no need for an additional exchange server for Nokia and Blackberry, and the email never leaves the firewall. There is no learning curve as users are already comfortable with the windows operating system on their PC or laptops. Like all PCs and laptops windows, the mobile is also based on a net framework. Thus, every application we develop for any of the products is compatible to these devices.
According to IDC, our market share is17.2% as compared to Blackberry, which is at 11.4%. In 2006, we outsold it in just six months. Email is becoming an important application on the move, and we have a huge advantage in this segment because we provide it in a cheaper and more secure manner. There is no need for an additional exchange server for Nokia and Blackberry, and the email never leaves the firewall. There is no learning curve as users are already comfortable with the windows operating system on their PC or laptops. Like all PCs and laptops windows, the mobile is also based on a net framework. Thus, every application we develop for any of the products is compatible to these devices.
What is driving mobile applications and mobility in India today?
Email is an important application but it's not just emails that enterprises want. They also use these devices for line of business application such as ERP and CRM. Secondly, end users want all the multimedia features in one device for a converged digital work style and life style. Price points for these phones have also dropped dramatically, increasing accessibility. All these factors are adding to the popularity of smart phones and mobile applications in the country.
Email is an important application but it's not just emails that enterprises want. They also use these devices for line of business application such as ERP and CRM. Secondly, end users want all the multimedia features in one device for a converged digital work style and life style. Price points for these phones have also dropped dramatically, increasing accessibility. All these factors are adding to the popularity of smart phones and mobile applications in the country.
Are you planning to tie up with service providers, and more handset vendors in the country?
Our platform is open, and it works with any service provider. Other handsets usually need to tie up with service providers to install its server with them, and access email. Presently, in India, we are working with I-mate, O2, Duopod, and HP. There will be more vendors coming in, and the existing vendors will also increase the number of models that they are offering.
Our platform is open, and it works with any service provider. Other handsets usually need to tie up with service providers to install its server with them, and access email. Presently, in India, we are working with I-mate, O2, Duopod, and HP. There will be more vendors coming in, and the existing vendors will also increase the number of models that they are offering.
What is your strategy for India in the future?
We have to muched 6 mn units worldwide, and we expect to cross the 10 mn figure in 2007. India as a market is growing at the rate of 400%, and we are actively involved with our device partners to sustain this growth. Our strategy is to make sure that the infrastructure and the price points that the handset vendors bring into the country is world class. We also enable our partners to offer widest range of handsets, and allow more device partners to come in, with more brand names to further enhance the growth of the market.
We have to muched 6 mn units worldwide, and we expect to cross the 10 mn figure in 2007. India as a market is growing at the rate of 400%, and we are actively involved with our device partners to sustain this growth. Our strategy is to make sure that the infrastructure and the price points that the handset vendors bring into the country is world class. We also enable our partners to offer widest range of handsets, and allow more device partners to come in, with more brand names to further enhance the growth of the market.
Sonia Sharma
sonias@cybermedia.co.in
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