ZTE Telecom India, the wholly owned subsidiary of China’s ZTE Corp, is foraying into the Indian market with its range of smartphones and tablet computers.

ZTE will enter the Indian smartphone market with a portfolio of five models ranging from Rs 5,799 to Rs 14,999. The launch will be followed with the introduction of tablet PCs in the Indian market.

The company’s products will be available in all major states by the end of October, it said in a statement.

“Globally, ZTE is the fourth largest handset manufacturer and we are certain to strengthen our position in India, which is a key growth propeller for us, contributing to 10 per cent of our overall revenues, ZTE India Chief Executive Officer Xu Dejun said.

The company has also inked a partnership with the Pune-based Calyx Telecommunications, where in Calyx will sell the products.

“We are broadening our distribution network with ZTE’s smartphone and tablet portfolio initially focusing on five states — Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. We are targeting 60 cities and towns through over 7,000 touch points,” said Calyx Telecommunications’ Executive Director Gaurav Somani.

With a turnover of Rs 450 crore, the Calyx Group, which has interests in real estate and textiles, said that it will invest Rs 500-600 crore in setting up a distribution network to sell the mobiles and build the ZTE brand identity.

“We expect to sell a million units during this fiscal,” Gaurav Somani said.

The phones will first be launched in western India, followed by South, North and eastern India. Initially, the sales will be through multi-brand dealers followed by exclusive stores, he said.

>rajesh.kurup@thehindu.co.in

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