DAWN TO DUSK NEWS::::::
LAHORE:
Recent developments in the spectrum auction process have charged up smartphone producers.
One such producer, Huawei Technologies Pakistan (HTP), is looking to
increase its footprint in the market, which it believes will start
maturing only after it incorporates third generation (3G) technology.
“People believe the smartphone market in Pakistan has already
matured,” said Fraz Malik Khan, head of marketing at HTP۔ “I believe this is not the
scenario as 3G is yet to come, which, if incorporated as scheduled,
would approximately double the number of smartphone users in Pakistan.”
The claim regarding smartphone penetration in Pakistan is a healthy
sign for the overall market. Pakistan currently has 15 million
smartphone users and Khan intends to make HTP the market leader.
HTP started its operations in Pakistan back in June 2012 by launching
its first smartphone P-1. After a lack of initial success, the company
revamped its strategy a year later to align with the marketing strategy.
This was the time when the company’s flagship product, the P-6, was
launched globally. The product helped the company grab a foothold in the
market against competitors like QMobile and Samsung.
The company claims that before the re-launch, its sales graph was
hovering around 4,000 units per month, which then peaked to around
40,000 as of January. “Our flagship product is extremely popular and as
of today we are unable to meet the demand for this product,” Khan said.
“With the arrival of 3G services, we will be in a position to be number
one selling brand in Pakistan as our research and development
infrastructure supports this technology, and this will eventually boost
our sales graph,” he added.
Huawei is currently importing around 45,000 units per month, while
Samsung imports between 50,000 to 60,000. According to Khan, sales of
their high-end products are higher than their low-end products. The
price factor of their flagship product allows the company to be more
competitive compared to Samsung.
Commenting on the company’s future plans, Khan said that they cannot
rule out infrastructural investments by Huawei in Pakistan. “Though I
cannot confirm anything at this point, I believe that the country’s
premier has already communicated to Huawei to make a resource centre in
Pakistan.”
Posted by :: Muhammad Usman