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Tag: brands

  • Mobile Operators Must Cut Data Fees and Offer Smartphone Subsidies







    While prospects for the overall mobile handset market remain gloomy, smartphones remain a bright spot with global unit growth as high as 11.1 per cent in 2009, according to iSuppli.

    The analysts’ optimistic forecast for global smartphone unit shipments translates into 192.3 million units in 2009, up from 173.6 million in 2008.

    A more pessimistic outlook calls for growth of only 6 per cent this year, reaching 183.9 million units.

    Tina Teng, senior analyst for wireless communications for iSuppli, stressed that for the optimistic scenario to come to fruition, wireless network operators had to cut fees for data services and offer aggressive subsidies to reduce consumer smart phone prices.

    "Furthermore, wireless operators and handset brands have to sell consumers on the value of smartphones to encourage customers to upgrade," she said.

    However, if consumer confidence continues to erode, iSuppli’s pessimistic forecast is likely to prevail, Teng warned.

    According to the optimistic scenario, smartphones will represent 17.4 per cent of total mobile handset unit shipments in 2009.

    If the pessimistic scenario holds sway, smartphones will account for only 16.6 per cent of total mobile handset shipments this year.

    The optimistic scenario also foresees a unit shipment Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 21 percent from 2008 to 2013, while the pessimistic view predicts an 18.3 percent growth rate.

    Teng said that with 3G networks becoming prevalent around the world, smartphones are now for consumer as well as corporate users.

    "Consumers increasingly are demanding data-intensive applications that require the kinds of high data speeds supported by 3G networks," she said.

  • Samsung HDTV earns top slot in customer loyalty survey

    Samsung Electronics has come first in a customer loyalty survey in the US for both its HDTVs and DVD players.
    The company was winner in the two categories in the Loyalty Engagement Index, a nationwide survey carried out by Brand Keys Customer.
    It identifies brands that are best able to engage consumers by meeting or exceeding their expectations, which creates loyal customers.
    The report forecasts which products consumers are most likely to purchase over the next 12 to 18 months.
    In both the HDTV (LCD) and DVD player categories, consumer preferences were based on product design and performance.
    Tim Baxter, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Samsung Electronics America, said: “Winning these awards reaffirms Samsung’s dedication to provide products with a level of design and functionality that enhances any consumer’s home entertainment setup.”
    Last year, Samsung won a Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Award for HDTVs (CRT), as well as honours for HDTVs and DVD players in the 2006 edition.
    Robert Passikoff, President at Brand Keys, said the Samsung brand had managed to find a niche for itself, where it means something beyond just electronic equipment to the consumer.
    “Customers remain loyal to brands that resonate with values and Samsung achieves this by providing products that resonate with the customer,” he said.
    “A lot of brands don’t have that connection.”