Meridian mobile targets Rs 100 crore from India

After having launched three GSM phones in India under its 'Fly'
brand, UK-based Meridian Mobile is looking at garnering Rs 100 crore within the
first year of its Indian operations. The company is moving ahead with
two-pronged approach of setting up the required channel and marketing muscle to
achieve this figure in the buoyant mobile space of India.

"We have already established a network of 70
distributors spread across different parts of the country. We would be targeting
customers who are seeking to upgrade their mobile handsets. Since India is one
of the fastest growing markets, we are looking at Rs 100 crore from this region
within one year. We are confident of selling over 20,000 handsets every month in
India," informed Rajiv Khanna, CEO, Meridian Mobile.

As part of its marketing and brand visibility activity, the
company will partner with various national retail chains. "Today's
customer wants cellphone upgrades with better features. We have ideally
positioned ourselves to deliver such features while remaining cost-effective. We
will be launching one different model every month. In addition to this, we would
be partnering with national retail chains like Shoppers Stop or Vishal Mega Mart
to provide brand visibility," Khanna explained.

With an aim to provide service to its set of customers,
Meridian, has already tied up with Chennai-based Accel ICIM. Its recently
launched handsets are priced between Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000.

ZIA ASKARI