Shivraj Patil inaugurates Mobile Asia 2006

New Delhi, Oct 13: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today inaugurated 'Mobile Asia 2006', an event showcasing the latest digital technologies across mobile networks and application, network infrastructure and communications.

''Mobile Asia 2006 is a perfect platform to bring together consumers and industry players to view the latest applications and devices that are available in the market today and preview some of the upcoming technolgies that are set to shape the future of mobile telephony,'' event Co-chairman and Nokia Director (Sales) Sunil Dutt told reporters here.

The exhibition has witnessed the participation of 30 internatinal and domestic players in the mobile industry like Nokia, Motorola, Reliance Communications, LG, Samsung, Sony-Ericsson, I-mate, Tata Teleservices, ZTE, and Bharti Airtel.

Through Mobile Asia, which is on till October 2006, Indian Cellular Association (ICA), which has organised the event, would educate consumers and resellers to shun the grey market, which accounts for 90 per cent of the total mobile accessories market of Rs 2,500 crore and 10 per cent of mobile handsets market of Rs 24,000 crore.

''ICA has introduced ICA Hologram, which is being used by almost all the companies. During the event we will announce more of such initiatives for protection of consumers against the reverberated handsets and pirated mobile programmes,'' ICA National President Pankaj Mahindroo said.

The mobile market is expected to grow up to Rs 30,000 crore for handsets and Rs 40,000 crore for services. By 2008-09, ICA expects the per month sales of handsets to go up to 10 crore from the present six crore.

UNI