IVK Mobile SICT to launch a budget 4.3-inch Android smartphone and tablet soon

As a relative newcomer in the challenging and dynamic mobile market in India, iVK Mobile have gained popularity among the masses for its budget feature-rich phones. While concentrated mainly in the low-end feature phone category, the company now plans to make a foray into the mid-range smartphone market.

Speaking with Know Your Mobile India, Anil Kaushik, chief executive officer of iVK Mobile revealed that they are presently in the testing phase of their first 4.3-inch Android smartphone. According to Kaushik, 'the product will rock in India.'

KYMI: You are at the moment concentrated on the low-end segment of the mobile phone market. Will we see you dive into the mid-range phone market?

Anil K Kaushik: You are partially correct, we have low priced phones but if you refer to product features the product is part of mid end products. Basically , we have brought down prices of mid end products to low end prices. The objective is to meet the aspiration of our customers to have mid end or high end products at affordable prices. We will soon be launching high end products 3G products based on Android as well.

We are working on 4.3" Android Phone. Presently, we are testing the product and will be soon available for me to use. The product will rock in India.

KYMI:: We are seeing most of the mobile manufacturers enter the tablet market. Will you follow the suit?

Anil K Kaushik: We are in final stages for tablet PCs which is very close to my heart. Once the product is tested and developed, we will create flutter in Tablet PCs segment as well.

KYMI:: The competition is intense with several manufacturers making a foray into the Indian mobile market. How does that affect your product development strategy?

Anil K Kaushik: With new entrants coming to market is good news, as this will help us grow in good competitive environment. SICT has the biggest manufacturing base manufacturing 100,000 phones a day and 10,00,000 batteries besides complete back ward integration for mobile phones. We define products and manufacture products quickly. On an average we create 30-40 new models every week though we are selective on launches in India.

KYMI: What is your vision for the future regarding the feature-phone and tablet market?

Anil K Kaushik: I expect feature phones will slowly move to touch phones (PDA's) with excellent touch and feel. The market will continue to grow for at least 5 years or so. Tablet market will grow exponentially and my expectation for market size in 2012 will be about 1 million.  

KYMI:: Who do you consider your major competitors and what is your strategy to stay in the game?

Anil K Kaushik: To be honest , we don't have competition. We have created competition. Having said that, we do believe that the 10% YOY increase in demand provided enough room for each brand to play their role.

KYMI: What are the challenges that new companies face while breaking into the Indian mobile market?

Anil K Kaushik: Market growth and demand is very good for mobiles and so are the challenges. The market has products which are not upto the mark with respect to quality. The specifications are over defined on product specifically for battery, Bluetooth etc. I think with implementation of various control mechanisms which government is focusing, this will soon be under control. The product quality and pricing will fall in place. For brands like ours we are very seriously focusing on quality and promise customer for a good satisfaction level.    

KYMI::  Talking about phones, which phone are you using right now?

Anil K Kaushik: I use SICT 3G Android Phone and SICT 3000mAh battery phone which works for me for about 5-6 days without charging. This phone make me 'worry free relating to battery charging'.       

KYMI:: How frequently do you change your phone?

Anil K Kaushik: I like to ensure each phone we launch comes with good quality and hence I use all the phones prior launching. I practically change phone every week. For my regular use, I change phone every month. 

KYMI:: Which feature do you like the best?

Anil K Kaushik: All our products have big display, big battery, wireless FM, Bluetooth (A2DP), Auto call record, Big speakers and excellent video. These features are the key needs for our users.