High-end phones flying off shelves

KOLKATA: Gone are the days when one bought a mobile phone just to make calls. Going by recent trends, a large number of mobile customers are opting for feature-rich handsets, which - apart from making calls and sending SMSes - can also surf the Net, open and edit documents and even click a sharp photograph.
In the past couple of months, the sale of business phones has shot up sharply and is expected to rise even further.
Popular retail outlets have recorded sales of two-three high-end handsets a day. That's nearly as many handsets that they used to sell in a week till recently. "In January, we have already sold 30 business phones that support all functions, such as opening attachments and even editing documents. Our customers are mostly IT professionals," said a sales executive at AM Mobile Telecom, located near the IT hub at Salt Lake's Sector V.
In the heart of the city, a sales executive at D P Electronics, a multi-brand retailer at Chandni Chowk, said business phone sales had shot up by a whopping 300%. "We sell almost more business phones than ordinary handsets, since corporate houses make bulk purchases for senior executives. Even the young want to own them due to the multimedia facilities on offer," he said.
Ground-level retail figures are substantiated by a research conducted recently by RNCOS that reveal a sharp rise in sale of business phones in metros and mini-metros across the country, including Kolkata.
"Over the past few years, there has been a rapid development in various industrial sectors, with a major focus on IT-enabled solutions (ITeS). The frequency of using Internet for information surfing is on the rise. The dip in price of business phones has also contributed to the sales growth," said RNCOS chief executive Shushmul Maheshwari, adding that the 20% slash in price of most business phones has broadened the customer base.
Though the spurt in sale of handsets that cost more than Rs 20,000 appear surprising at a time when impulse-buying has ceased and people are postponing their purchase, Indian Cellular Association president Pankaj Mohindroo does not see a dichotomy. "Business phones are in demand because of the professional services they deliver. It can actually reduce the cost of business. The growth in sales is encouraging. The Indian market has the potential to grow further due to increase in MNCs and IT/ITeS organizations."
Though Nokia refused comment, a Samsung spokesperson said the overall sales trend of business phones in Kolkata was encouraging. "The multimedia technology in business phones appeals to the young, while business mobility is what attracts experienced professionals," she said. At an outlet of cellphone retail chain Mobile Shoppe, a sales executive confirmed the recent spurt in sales. While the outlet would earlier sell 20 business phones in two months, it has sold 30 phones in January alone.
At Agarwal Communications, a salesman felt the long battery life and large memory of business phones also appealed to the young, who constantly dabble with the device. He sells nearly five business phones a day.
Commenting on the popularity of business phones, like the BlackBerry, that were till not-so-long-ago viewed as within the reach of only the rich and the upwardly mobile, Airtel Mobile Services chief marketing officer Sanjay Gupta said: "The phones provide innovative and cutting-edge technology to users, which helps them optimize their business and leisure time while on the move."
From the user perspective, business phones help in better management of professional situations. "It has become a necessity. I have to purchase one soon as my profession requires me to be connected 24��7 with clients," said senior corporate professional Nabanita Khan.
For senior IT professional Kunal Basu, the business phone not only allows him to work while on the move, but also allows him more time with family. "I have been using a business phone for three-four years. I utilize my travel time and can resolve any professional matter, which needs immediate concern, such as conferencing with people at various locations, checking presentations and even editing them, if required. The exhaustive address book and the quick functions are its added advantages. On the whole, it helps maintain the perfect work-life balance," he said.