TP-LINK, which has been a leading global provider of networking products, is now foraying into mobile phone industry in India and worldwide, in a big way. They want to launch Smart and Simple mobile phones soon in India and worldwide.
In an interaction with Mobility magazine, talking about their entry into mobile phone segment, Mr Lynn Wang , TP-LINK clarifies, “Before we launch any products in the market, we study the customer needs and then develop the specs accordingly. Same will be our approach for mobile phones. India is a huge market for mobile phones. We will load the phones with all the essential and basic features. For example, Indians in particular like selfies, so we are focusing specially on this feature. We want to avoid fancy features which people seldom use and which only add up to unnecessary cost. And then we will price in the affordable range—neither too low nor too high. Since we have our own manufacturing plant and R&D in China, we can control the design and quality of the products better, and that is an added advantage we have.”
Founded in 1996, the China-based TP-LINK has become one of the world’s leading providers of SOHO & SMB networking products and No. 1 provider of WLAN products. TP-LINK supplies to over 120 countries across the globe, serving millions of consumers worldwide. Now TP-Link, with the advantage of having a powerful brand name in the market, is confident that they can leverage on their established presence in promoting and providing mobile phones with cutting-edge technology globally.
Mr Lynn adds, “We have identified the market segments and our main focus will be mid-level market. The channel knows that we have our own manufacturing and R&D and we don’t have to get things made by a third party which is our strength. This also helps us to offer decent margins to the channel partners and their resellers. Next, we will focus on providing best after-sales-service. Presently, we already have several service centers here supported by experienced professionals, AND ALSO LOOKING FOR 3RD PARTY SERVICE PARTNERS to cover the pan india, which we will gear up to service our new mobile phone vertical. Since we are just into the market, we have to move ahead step-by-step, facing challenges and looking for opportunities. “We plan to launch 6 models sometime in 1st half of 2016.We will be launching globally in 18 countries, including India”, to start with and then reach to other countries. We will have a full-fledged launching event inviting all the top media, most probably in Mumbai.”
TP-LINK is a company fully committed to developing its products, services and consumer relations through its own manufacturing, extensive R&D and strict Quality Assurance departments in China, supported by effective outreach initiatives. Customer loyalty through interaction, focus and feedback are the policies that help TP-LINK offer innovative and award-winning solutions to the market.
Mr Lynn adds, “We have a separate vertical, with a separate name for mobile phones – Neffos. We want to target mid-level segment. Simple and Smart are our main USPs. We will add most useful features and avoid unnecessary and fancy features. We are confident, counting on all our merits that we are going to survive and grow. We will initially target a market share 2-5% in India. Our motto is Smart and Simple. Regarding channel strategy, we are still in the planning stage and will keep redefining with time and experience.”
TP-LINK’s global achievements in the industry have received recognition across the world. With focus on quality and commitment, TP-LINK continues to develop award-winning products.
Can starting their own manufacturing or assembling in India under Make in India program will benefit TP-LINK with respect developing mobile phones? In this regard, Mr Lynn concludes, “Yes, we can definitely take advantage of the incentives and tax benefits offered by the government, but for now it is still in the conception stage. First we want to launch the products and test the market. After that we will decide on the future strategy.”