Ericsson predicts improved sales

Ericsson predicts improved sales

JAKARTA (JP): The local subsidiary of Swedish
telecommunications group PT Ericsson Indonesia projects its
cellular phone sales this year will exceed last year's 100,000
units, an executive of the company said.

Ericsson Indonesia director Susanto Sosilo said on Thursday he
based his sales projection on the government's prediction that
mobile phone users in the country would increase to 1.5 million
this year, from 984,000 last year.

" But in the first half alone, the number of cell phone users
has expanded to 1.7 million," Susanto said.

He observed that 56 percent of the subscribers were young
people below the age of 30 who were fashion-driven customers.

"Hence there is a trend to 'wear' cell phones as accessories.
This is the trend we are riding on to penetrate the market,"
Susanto said at the launching of Ericsson's latest product T10s.

Susanto said the company's sales growth was generated mainly
by its high-end popular products, including its T18s model, which
had sold some 30,000 units within two months of its May launch.

He said his company would this year launch seven new handsets
of its three newly established A,R and T series.

"The A class is for those looking for an easy-to-use phone at
a reasonable price, the R class for those demanding high
performance and complete features, and the T class is for those
willing to pay for a sophisticated phone that appeals to their
emotions."

Sold in five bright colors, and with numerous additional
features, such as a vibrator alert, the dual band T10s with its
range of features and functions is aimed at the fashion-
conscious.

According to the company, T10s will hit the market later this
month with a price tag of Rp 1.5 million (US$215). (01)