Sensing strong revenue from GSM based mobile handset business, Chinese major Haier is planning to refocus on the same and is working with software companies and US based Qualcomm to add more applications for better functionality in its cellphones.

"We are more focused this time and are looking at GSM business more aggressively," Haier Mobiles India Marcom director Avijit Dutt told PTI.

He added that, however, the company would not exit its CDMA business.

"Though the company has done pretty well in the CDMA business and among the top three handset players in this category, it is seeing a better revenue inflow than the other business. But, there is a limit as the operators are more attracted towards the other technology, and the real money and business is in GSM," he said.

The company which exited selling of GSM handsets two years back, has made a comeback into the segment as it feels the future growth is going to come from GSM.

In India, out of the 290 million mobile subscribers over 220 million users are GSM-based mobile users and with the entry of leading CDMA players Reliance Communications and Tata Tele, the market in India is heading towards a GSM market, said analysts.

Hier has launched three new models in this segment in the price range of Rs 1,999 to Rs 11,999.

The company is also closely working with a leading Indian software firm and Qualcomm to develop some applications that can be built into its handsets to give some 'unique' advantage to the customers, he said.

These applications, the company said, which targets niche customer segments like farmers, students and others, would be a first of its kind service in the world.

The Chinese company is also at the final stage of discussion with a leading operator in the western region to provide data services for the above applications and these services are expected to be launched by the end of this month. Haier India, which is a 100 per cent subsidiary of the Haier Group, is also looking at its distribution strategy more seriously as it has started appointing new dealers and retailers exclusively for its GSM business.

Also, in March, the company has roped in Motorola India's sales director Sudhir Agarwal and appointed him as president to look after its mobile division.

The company which currently has 42 distributors in the country, most of them in North India, is planning to increase its footprint in other regions as well.

Source:Asia Pulse