Chinese handset maker PhiComm plans India foray by June, eyes growing smartphone market

NEW DELHI: Shanghai-based PhiComm plans to launch its brand of devices in India by the middle of June as the Chinese handset maker becomes the latest in the line of entrants wanting to grab a share of the growing Indian smartphone market.

PhiComm also plans to manufacture mobile phones in India in three to four years’ time. It will also set up a local ecosystem, including a research and development unit and a local data centre. The Indian R&D centre is expected to be set up within this year.

"The Indian market is very important and it will be the third country where we will establish a local organisation where we will hire about 20 local staff," said Jeffrey Fan, president of global sales at PhiComm. He added that the company will invest a lot in market and brand set up. "For this year, the marketing budget for Phi-Comm Global is 100 million RMB (Rs 1,026 crore), and a significant part will be invested in the Indian market." Operating as an OEM for a number of established brands worldwide, the company now wants to market its own devices which may be priced between $100 and $200 (Rs 6,300 to Rs 12,700). The first set of devices will be launched by mid-June through the online channel. The company is holding discussions to choose an appropriate partner, and will follow it up with offline sales across the country.