BPL Sanyo to launch 'desi' cellular handsets

BPL Sanyo will soon launch its range of cellular phones in India, which the company claims is the 'desi' brand. According to TPG Nambiar, BPL Group Chairman, the BPL group has already manufactured 10,000 of these handsets that are being tested in Mumbai, Pune, Coimbatore and Kochi.

Nambiar informs that the new mobile phone production unit of BPL Telecom is located at Palakad where it already has a communication products manufacturing facility. Initially, BPL would only be manufacturing GSM mobile phones and in due course might produce CDMA handsets also. "We are satisfied with the result of the test marketing so far," he states. Though the product is priced higher than other brands, he adds that it will compete with existing brands on quality fronts.

Regarding the cellular services market, Nambiar informs that BPL has achieved 75% growth in Kerala and 150% in Tamil Nadu. However, the company needs to invest more on its existing infrastructure to improve services. Attributing this to a lack of funds, Nambiar says that BPL is planning to raise funds for infrastructure development. It has earmarked Rs 150 crore for expansion, which includes that of cellular services in various circles. 

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Thiruvananthapuram