Saturday, January 05, 2008 Nokia strengthens local presence
FINLAND-based cell phone manufacturer Nokia is bent on covering at least 4,000 point-of-sales (POS) in the Philippines to establish its position in the country’s mobile phone industry.
Nokia Philippines general manager William Hamilton Whyte said the company is determined to open authorized Nokia sales distribution centers in every major city and town in the country to provide the market with original products and avoid the sale of units sourced from the “gray” market.
The gray market, he said, supplies units sourced from other countries and do not go through the proper documentation and legal processes or are smuggled.
Whyte also noted the proliferation of unscrupulous traders engaged in selling fake batteries that endanger users.
This, he said needs to be addressed by Nokia.
In Cebu, Nokia has partnered with retailer Junrex Cellphones in opening two stores located at the Ayala Center Cebu and at the SM City Cebu Northwing, which are both in Cebu City.
“Filipinos love mobile phones. In Nokia, they go for the N-series. So, we want to have more presence in all big cities in the Philippines,” Whyte said.
Whyte added that he finds it “very necessary” for Nokia to provide its growing market with good services, easy access to newer models and the needed accessories that can be purchased by clients residing not only in the major cities but also those living in remote areas.
Nokia will work closely with partners in every POS in the country.
These partners will reach out to the greater POS coverage authorizing even the sari-sari store operators to distribute original Nokia units and accessories.
In the short run, Whyte revealed that the company’s intention is to establish 50 Nokia care centers and drop-off points around the country.
Market
At present, Nokia has 27 stores nationwide and over 30 care centers and drop-off points.
Surprisingly, he said Nokia noted a potential market for high-end cellphones in the rural areas which can be complemented by setting up more Nokia stores in the countryside.
Whyte said the improved purchasing power of Filipinos living in the rural areas is bolstered by the remittances of overseas Filipino workers to their dependents.
To further signify its willingness to be a leading market player in the global mobile industry, Nokia produces 40 cell phone models per year, said Whyte.
He earlier said that in the period of August to December 2007, Nokia has sold 110 million of its phones in the international market.
Whyte said the new generation of Nokia phones will have more information storage capacity and faster Internet connection. (MMM)
