India's position as the world's fastest growing smartphone market could take a hit if the administration continues to keep phones and spare parts off the list of essential supplies during the recession. lockdown An association representing the electronics and mobile phone industry says as many as 40 million subscribers could find themselves without a working device. Ironically, this sobering market analysis is accompanied by a report suggesting 4% annual growth in the Indian smartphone market in the first quarter of 2020. Market research firm Counterpoint says that more than 31 million units will be sold between January and February, although sales after the Covid-19 epidemic fell by 19%.
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(Image credit: Shutterstock) The India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), which represents manufacturers, brand owners, technology providers, VAS application and solution providers, distributors and retailers of mobile phones and other electronic devices. , estimates that if, at the end of May, the restrictions on the delivery of telephones and spare parts continue, cell phone services would be affected. The smartphone repair market in India has seen multi-brand options such as Mobigarage and Yaantra looking to disrupt procedures with home service. However, since midnight on March 25, all of these services have been suspended following a total lockdown imposed by the federal government. The total lockdown even forced mobile phone manufacturers to sit idle despite the fact that companies like Samsung and Google are even offering €300 worth of free smartphone repairs in countries like the United States for emergency workers. they are not ashamed.
If you're on the front lines of the COVID crisis and have a Samsung or Google smartphone, you may be eligible for a completely free repair. http://t.co/9jTDN3sOY127 April 2020 The ICEA estimates that more than 25 million customers should be equipped with non-functional or semi-functional devices due to the lack of availability of components in the supply chain. If the government does not include phones, laptops and spare parts on the list of essential items soon, things could only get worse, the body warns in a statement. The ICEA, which includes big names in the mobile industry including Apple and Xiaomi, estimates that the current population of active mobile phones in India is over 850 million and an outage rate of about 0.25% per month. These people are unable to repair their phones or buy a new one, the association said. Counterpoint's report also highlights a 10% contraction in the Indian mobile phone market for the rest of 2020, though it expects the major players to maintain their market share. Xiaomi leads with 30%, followed by Vivo and Samsung. The report says that Apple grew 78% in the first quarter to 55% in the premium market segment.
So what is the solution now?
The industry association has petitioned the federal government led by Narendra Modi to put cell phones on the essential list. "We have written to the government that these figures will fall to almost Rs 4 crore before the end of May. It is essential that mobile sales over the internet and gradually through retail as well as service centers with delivery to delivery and collection service are declared as "essential services" in addition to groceries and medicines, "said the president of ICEA. Pankaj Mohindroo. The association also investigated how some states would ensure smartphone users download and use the government's Covid-19 tracking app, Aarogya Setu. “How would they use the app and how could the government collect data if the smartphones were not working?” an ICEA official asked. The latest in this area is that after the representation of ICEA in its nodal government department, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the heads of this department sent a strong recommendation to the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs to include smartphones and computers laptops on the essentials list. some goods. Of course, there has been no movement from the federal government on this front and the ICEA hopes that there may be some relaxation when closing exams begin this week.