The Hindu Business Line : Kyocera plans CDMA handsets in India through Flextronics

New approach Kyocera would launch low-end handsets soon to cater to a price-sensitive market. The company has tie-ups with all the Indian CDMA operators.

New Delhi , July 4

India's first locally manufactured CDMA (code division multiple access) handset could soon be on its way with Japanese handset provider Kyocera looking to produce its handsets in the country.

The company is planning to engage Flextronics' Indian unit to manufacture CDMA handsets on a contract basis. At present, Kyocera has an arrangement with Flextronics' production unit in China to manufacture handsets.

Mr K.K. Kushwaha, Country Director, Sales and Marketing, Kyocera Wireless India, told Business Line, "The trend is to go for contract manufacturing. We are looking at the option of expanding our relationship with Flextronics in China and extend it to the company's Indian manufacturing unit. We are awaiting for Flextronics to complete the process of setting up its plant in the country after which we will shift our handset manufacturing from its China plant to India."

Mr Kushwaha has been newly appointed as Kyocera's country head. Prior to this, he was the Vice-President, CDMA Terminals for LG Electronics.

Until now, none of the CDMA handset producers has set up a manufacturing base in the country. While companies such as LG and Samsung have been talking about a unit, nothing concrete has happened.

On the other hand, companies such as Nokia have already set up a full-fledged manufactured base in India for GSM handsets and network equipment. The promoter of CDMA technology Qualcomm had recently announced that it would offer incentives to companies setting up manufacturing units for CDMA handset and equipment.

Mr Kushwaha said that Kyocera would launch low-end handsets soon in India to cater to the needs of a price-sensitive market. Kyocera has tie-ups with all the Indian CDMA operators - Reliance Communication, BSNL and Tata Teleservices.

The company has a hardware engineering and design services lab in India with 550 employees.