The FINANCIAL Nokia is the leading mobile brand in Georgia, according to data provided by dealers in the country. Moreover, according to data provided by Geocell, from its total subscribers, who number up to 2 million, 43.7% have Nokia brand mobile phones, after which comes Samsung – 18.56%, followed by Sony Ericsson – 11.46%.
The FINANCIAL Nokia is the leading mobile brand in Georgia, according to data provided by dealers in the country. Moreover, according to data provided by Geocell, from its total subscribers, who number up to 2 million, 43.7% have Nokia brand mobile phones, after which comes Samsung – 18.56%, followed by Sony Ericsson – 11.46%.
Only 0.27% of Geocell subscribers have the Apple iPhone, while 0.14% has a Blackberry. The rest of mobile phones connected to the Geocell network are as follows: Motorola (8.07%), Siemens (4.89%), LG (2.48%), CECT (1.19%), ZTE (0.71%), Panasonic (0.58%), Kenxinda (0.5%), Sagem (0.43%), Alcatel (0.35%), Ericsson (0.34%), Huawei (0.34%), Crtel (0.3%), Gfive (0.25%), Philips (0.25%), Sony (0.22%), Egltel (0.21%), Telacom (0.21%), Sharp (0.19%), Wentto (0.14%), HTC (0.14%), and others (4.09%). Compared to the previous year’s data provided by Geocell, the number of Nokia customers has not changed, as well as the number of Samsung and Sony Ericsson users. From the 1.7 million Geocell subscribers in December 2009, 43% are Nokia users, followed by Samsung – 19%, Sony Ericsson – 13%, Motorola – 10%, Siemens – 7%, LG – 2%, and others – 6%. As David Kartvelishvili, Head of Marketing at Trade House Goletiani declared, the most popular Nokia models in 2010 were: the 1280, 2700, 6700 and the iconic N8. “C series models are popular among teenagers. E series is popular among businessman. N series is popular for all age groups who like music, photography and social networking,” Kartvelishvili added. As Kartvelishvili declared, compared with 2009 there was a 100% increase in sales in 2010. “In contrast with 2009, average price increased by 15% in 2010. However, the average price is 100% lower compared with 2008,” he added.
At Elit Electronics the highest sales of mobile phone models were for the Nokia 1202 and 1662 due to their low price (69 and 75 GEL), as well as Samsung dual sim card models e2152, b7722, c3212 and others (priced between 155-539 GEL).
“There was an increase in realization in 2010 compared to 2009. In the second half of 2010 we had a 76% profit indicator,” declared Ia Nadirashvili, Sales Manager of Elit Electronics.
“Demand for iPhones increased three times compared to the beginning of 2010,” said Mamuka Margishvili, Director of iPhone +.
“The average sales were 10,000 units of iPhones, iPads and Apple computers in 2010. Total sales have reached 15 million GEL with total profit of 0.5 million GEL,” said Margishvili.
“Considering the high demand for Apple production, we expect at least doubled sales and profits this year. The total demand for Apple products during the year increased three times. Moreover, demand increased for iPhones, which now has two cameras and is quite fast, is multi functional despite being a phone and is in effect a small computer. Demand increased 3 times compared to the beginning of the year 2010,” Margishvili added.
“Since our market is very price sensitive, there is a demand for low end models costing 100 GEL and less. There is a priority for models that have the menu and functions available in the Georgian language. About 35% of Nokia’s models are available with that very function,” declared Kartvelishvili.
“Demand is increasing for Google Android operational system mobile phones. Android is an installed system in mobile phones, such as Windows in computers, for which varieties of applications are created and the individual can use entertainment as well as office programmes,” said Nadirashvili.
“Demand also increased for Blackberry phones. Blackberry is most comfortable for those who like to access their mail via telephone, moreover, one of the reasons for its popularity is the design and qwerty keyboard,” added Nadirashvili.
At Elit Electronics the most popular phones among teenagers are Nokia Xpress Music series models (89-539 GEL) as well as several Samsung Corby models (249-269). With businessmen high class mobile phones are popular such as HTC (429-1699 GEL), Blackberry and several of Nokia’s mobiles.
The dealers interviewed said that they will be more focused on introducing business model mobile phones in 2011. Goletiani House will be introducing dual-sim models in the Georgian market in the second quarter of the year. In addition there will be new business models such as the Nokia E7.
“Demand will probably increase for Google Android operational system mobile phones, as Android presents the most developed operational system, for which many applications are created. Moreover, demand will probably increase for Windows 7 mobile phones, which functionally and by design are more improved compared to other phones. It is remarkable that Windows 7 mobile phones were first introduced in our chain in 2010 presented by HTC hd7,” Nadirashvili added.
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