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)