Meridian Mobile to introduce sub-100 dollar models

Chennai, Oct 12 (UNI) Meridian Mobile, a UK-based mobile phone handset company has proposed to introduce 'sub-100 dollar' models to cater to the needs of the low-end segment in India.

Announcing the launch of five new model phones under the brand name 'Fly', targeting the mid-level user segment at a press meet here, Mr Rajiv Khanna, CEO, Meridian, Indian Operations said the low-end models would be launched in the next three or four months.

'We have launched testing for introducing bar phones and presently, it is in the testing stage,' he said, adding, the company expected to roll out 15 more models, including in the high-end segment, by the end of the year.

The Meridian Group, which was into FMCG distribution in Europe, marketed about two million handsets a year. Within three years, the company had grown in market reach and expected to further consolidate its presence both in Europe and India, and new markets in the region.

The company was expected to sell about three million handsets globally, with India, especially, South India, accounting for good numbers, Mr Khanna said.

Pointing out that the replacement market in India was growing at phenomenal speed, he said the company would target people who viewed mobile handsets as not just instruments but lifestyle products.

'The replacement market in India is growing at a hectic pace and fully-loaded, feature-rich phones provide ideal option in the replacement market,' he said.

Mr Khanna said the company planned to invest $two million (Rs nine crore) towards marketing spend. The company had about 3.5 per cent market share in the markets it operated in and expected to repeat this in India. It was targeting sales of Rs 100 crore this year.

Actor Malaika Arora Khan, the brand ambassador of 'fly' unveiled the models here.

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