Mobile Asia expects highest footfall from mobile-savvy Chandigarh

Chandigarh, Sep 18 (UNI) The City Beautiful has been hailed as the most mobile savvy by Indian Cellular Association, the apex body of the mobile industry comprising manufacturers, brand owners, application and solution providers, distributors and retailers.

''Chandigarh is one of the most saturated cell phone market in the country with the highest average selling price of mobile handsets,'' Indian Cellular Association (ICA) National President Pankaj Mohindroo said here today.

''It is as good as that in any other metro -- even in terms of replacement market, said Mr Mohindroo adding that today mobility permeates every aspect of our business and life and the City Beautiful is keeping pace with the strides in telecom technolgy.

The ICA chief, who is here at a head of a delegation to promote Mobile Asia 2006, to be held in New Delhi's Pragati Maidan from 13th October said the organisers expected the highest footfall from Chandigarh in view of the fetish its residents have shown for grabbing the latest handset on offer.

''Mobile Asia 2006 would be a major hotspot for cell phone users who want to go for new, innovative and advanced cell phones and upgraded models in the market. We are witnessing a trend towards convergence of media, entertainment, communication and related aspects with the fast uptake of imaging devices, gaming phones and smart phones,'' said Mr Sunil Dutt, Co-Chairman, Mobile Asia 2006.

''The mobile handset industry has grown exponentially from Rs 200 crore to over Rs 20,000 crore in a short span of five years. With India emerging as the world's fastest growing mobile market - we would like to see this thought reflected across all segments and markets, especially in rural areas,'' said Mr Lloyd Mathias, Chairman, Mobile Asia 2006.

Major international and domestic mobile handset manufacturers, network service providers and value added service providers including Airtel, AOL, Haier, I-mate, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Reliance Communications, Sagem, Samsung and Tata Teleservices are participating in the Mobile Asia 2006, he said.

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