New cellular phone sets in the offing<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Major cellular telephone producers plan to
\nlaunch a wide range of new cellular sets this year to tap the
\nprojected hefty increase in demand in the local market.<\/p>\n
Ericsson Indonesia's director, Susanto Sosilo, said Ericsson
\nwill launch eight models for its different segments -- the first
\nusers, technology-oriented users and style-oriented users.<\/p>\n
He said Ericsson has been launching more products, such as the
\nT series, for the style-oriented segment, which was actually the
\ncompany's biggest market.<\/p>\n
Nokia Mobile Phones Indonesia's general manager, Alexander
\nLambeek, said the Finland-based cellular producer will launch at
\nleast three new models to take advantage of the higher demand.<\/p>\n
The first new handset to hit the market this year will be the
\ndual-band GSM 900\/1800 Nokia 8850, which will be available this
\nweek at a minimum price tag of Rp 7 million (US$1,000).<\/p>\n
\"It is part of our premium series, products of which are
\ndesigned especially for people who live in style and like to show
\nothers that they are fashionable. We have quite a market for this
\nparticular segment,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Samsung Electronics Indonesia's general manager of marketing,
\nLee Kang Hyung, said the company would focus on products using
\nits latest technology.<\/p>\n
\"Samsung will launch six products this year. At least two of
\nthem will be multimedia phones, which will enable users to
\nconnect to the Internet or store pictures and music in their
\nphones like our MP-3 Phone,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Samsung will launch its Internet Phone in August and MP-3
\nPhone in September, he said.<\/p>\n
Lambeek said Nokia had also prepared a product to cater to
\ncustomers' growing demand for smart phones that would allow them
\nto access the Internet.<\/p>\n
Lambeek said his company would launch in February the Nokia
\n7110, which, he said, will be the world's first media phone
\ndesign based on wireless application protocol to allow users
\naccess to the Internet and conduct simple banking transaction
\nusing their phones.<\/p>\n
Last year, Nokia launched the first Internet-enabled phone in
\nIndonesia, the Nokia 9110.<\/p>\n
Operations manager for Motorola's personal communications
\nsector in South Asia, Husni Erwinn, said the U.S.-based company
\nwould also introduce several new products to win in the tighter
\ncompetition.<\/p>\n
According to data compiled by the cell phone producers, the
\nindustry's monthly sales in Indonesia significantly increased
\nfrom approximately 26,0000 phones in 1997 to between 30,000 and
\n40,000 in 1998 and 70,000 in 1999.<\/p>\n
He said the mobile phone industry expected to sell between
\n80,000 and 100,000 phones per month this year.<\/p>\n
The four cellular producers' executives agreed mobile phones
\nwith unique appearances would dominate the market this year.<\/p>\n
Husini said almost 50 percent of local users had a tendency to
\nvalue the design more than the technology of the product.<\/p>\n
Many Indonesian customers craved the latest models to add to
\nor replace their existing phones.<\/p>\n
\"A great many Indonesian customers change their phones with
\nthe latest model from any brand once every three to six months.
\nThey like to show off,\" Husini told The Jakarta Post over the
\nweekend.<\/p>\n
\"In the near future, they will likely possess several cell
\nphones to suit different activities, just like they keep
\ndifferent colors or pattern of socks to wear on certain days and
\noccasions,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Husni said such a tendency would contribute to the robust
\nsales of cell phones in the country this year and ahead. (cst)<\/p>",
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