Rajiv Khanna, C.E.O of Meridian Mobile (India), provides insights into future business plans of FLY Mobile for the Indian market in an exclusive interview with TelecomTiger

Q.1. How has been the journey all along since your foray in the Indian market in 2006?

Ans. Indian market has a huge barrier to entry. Therefore the path to success is extremely competitive. We have moved from 100 employees to 5000 employees in 3 years.

Q.2. Recently FLY Mobile announced its intention to increase its market share to 10% in India. Kindly elaborate on business plans to achieve the same?

Ans. We have a huge rural initiative. We will be the largest brand in terms of no. of SKU''''s by year end. Fly branding is becoming more aggressive.

Q.3. What are your current trends related to handset market in India i.e. shipments registered every month, share of the replacement market, circles where growth is high etc?

Ans. We have more than 4% share of new sim cards added to the market every month. Our old market share is 2% but in modern trade near about 4%.

Q.4.The next phase of growth for handset manufacturers is expected to come from 3G and the rural segment. What are FLY's future plans in order to address these markets?

Ans. We are going to tie-up in rural segment. We are also launching a hummer 3G phone. We will avoid our products coming in entry level. Even our low end will have an element of high design.

Q.5. Your product portfolio interestingly mentions about a Eco-friendly phone. Kindly elaborate on this offering especially in wake of handset manufacturers facing flak from environmentalists for alleged high contribution to eco-waste?                        

Ans. Fly, UK based Meridian Mobile's brand, is also doing for the environment. The company is coming up with miniature phone, thus reducing the amount of heavy metals used. "Miniaturisation means we use slimmer batteries and small accessories.

We are increasingly using bio-degradable products instead of heavy metals.