Celkon Impex, a low-cost mobile handset manufacturer, plans to enter the overseas market starting with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh this year. The company, that recently signed the rising cricket sensation Virat Kohli for a year, also intends to sell about 10-lakh units per month from just about 4-lakh at present.

The Indian dual-SIM market is around 7-million unit per month.

“We plan to increase our distribution network and emerge as a national player,” Celkon’s Executive Director, Mr Murali Retheneni, said.

The Hyderabad-based firm, which entered into the already crowded space in 2010, has been able to grab a significant share in the low cost dual sim mobile handset category with 65 models ranging from Rs 900-9,000. However, of these only 25 stock keeping units (SKUs) are moving in counters across 11 states.

Currently, Finnish mobile phone maker Nokia dominates thar dual-SIM phones segment at 19 per cent market share followed by Micromax, Karbonn, Maxx and Lava mobiles.

Asked about Celkon’s further plans, Mr Retheneni said the company is working towards making the brand more visibile and is spending a significant amount on advertisements and endorsements.

“We are the No.1 company in south and now we are looking forward to penetrate into northern states. However we needed the right communication strategy to get the brand the necessary attention,” he said adding that signing Virat Kohli is a step towards building the brand.

“Virat was an ideal choice because he is young and his personality reflected a lot with our products which are targeted at the youth. He is equally popular among youngsters in South as well as North,” he said.

The company had sold 1 million units in the first year and garnered a turnover of Rs 150 crore.

The company also plans to come out with a low cost tablet below Rs 10,000 this year.

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