Oscar enters mobile phone sector with low-priced handsets

Consumer electronics brand Oscar today announced its entry into the Indian cellular phone market with low-end models.

Oscar mobiles will first be launched in North- and East India where it has a strong presence and then subsequently over the rest of India.

"Our foray into the telecom vertical is in keeping with our vision to provide consumers with high quality products at unmatched prices," Satish Verma, chairman, Oscar Group, said.
 
"We will look to build a strong presence in the semi-urban and rural market, where the prominence of both subscribers and operators is rapidly increasing, besides the burgeoning urban market," he added.

Oscar plans to launch ten handsets priced between Rs1,700 and Rs4,500, which will include multimedia options such as FM Radio, MP3, MP4 player, social networking access and dual SIM GSM connectivity.

Amongst the six that have been launched are the base model 'N1' with a vibration speaker, a first for an entry level phone in comparable price range and the Z1 model, a Qwerty keypad handset with dual camera.

The phones are backed by one year warranty and after-sales service from the existing network of 250 service centres.

Speaking on the brand's expansion plans, Suresh Wadhwani, executive director, said, "By end of first year, we hope to sell one lakh mobiles per month in North and East India with a turnover of Rs250 crore and thereafter grow at 15-20 per cent annually. In five years, we are aiming to reach a turnover of Rs1,000 crore."

The phones are available at 1,500 retail shops across East- and North India with the network expected to reach 8,000 retail points by year-end.