India will play a critical role in Nokia's "next phase of journey" as the iconic brand re-enters the fiercely competitive global smartphone market that is currently dominated by Samsung and Apple.
HMD Global, which has struck a 10-year brand licensing agreement with Nokia for mobile phones and tablets, will launch a slew of devices globally in the first half of 2017.
Speaking to PTI, HMD Global CEO Arto Nummela said:
India is a key market for Nokia’s next phase of this journey. It is absolutely important. We want to be successful (in India) and we will also tailor our offerings not only for feature phones, but for smartphones for Indian consumers.
HMD has roped in former Microsoft India country manager (Mobile Devices Sales group) Ajey Mehta as the vice-president of its India operations.
India is one of the fastest growing smartphone markets globally. According to research firm IDC, smartphone shipments in India grew 11 per cent to 32.3 million smartphones in July-September quarter compared with the year-ago period.
Samsung phones have a lead in the Indian smartphone market, followed by Lenovo and Micromax.
HMD will launch smartphone products in the first half of 2017 while Nokia-branded feature phones are expected to come in within this month, Nummela said.
In 2014, Microsoft had acquired Nokia's handset business for USD 7.2 billion. Nokia had retained the rights to the brand name and also inked a non-compete clause with the US-based company. The non-compete clause expires in the coming week.
Earlier this year, Microsoft sold the feature phone business to HMD Global and contract manufacturer Foxconn for USD 350 million.
HMD is ditching Microsoft's Windows OS in favour of Google's Android OS that has the lion's share among smartphones. Foxconn will manufacture the Nokia-branded mobile phones and tablets.
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