adminJOHANNESBURG. — Nokia, the Finnish mobile phone manufacturer, is confident of maintaining its market share in the continent despite intense competition from rivals.
Despite such companies as Samsung, which is now the world’s biggest smart phone manufacturer, and Research in Motion making inroads into Africa, Nokia devices have remained the gadgets of choice for mobile users in the continent.
Nokia has an estimated 50 percent market share while Samsung, popular for its Galaxy range and RIM’s BlackBerry, trail with 18 percent each.
Gerard Brandjes, Nokia vice president for East and Southern Africa, is confident the mobile phone manufacturer will maintain a stranglehold in the market.
“I believe we are delivering the right kind of service that will enable us to do that,” he said.
Brandjes was hopeful a new range of stylish products for lower-end users will be key in the company’s prospects. Among such products is the Asha series.
There are 11 such phones currently, consisting largely of touch screen and QWERTY keyboard products.
“Our Asha portfolio consists of products that are mostly less than US$100 and are appealing to a mobile user looking to buy a good phone for a low price tag.Through such gadgets, we are taking into consideration the needs of the African consumer,” added Brandjes.
A recent report by leading mobile advertising firm, InMobi, established the Nokia 6300 series phones as the most popular devices on the continent and at present.
It said two of the top 15 devices in Africa, are Nokia brand handsets.
In recent times though, it has faced increased pressures from other device manufacturers such as RIM, Samsung and,
most recently, Huawei in larger African markets.
“Nokia is an important and extremely powerful brand in South Africa and extends to such countries as Kenya and Nigeria.
“The brand represents value for money for the African user who have identified the benefits of associating with the company’s products,” said Brandjes. — CAJ News.
Online Reporter