ICA to standardise mobile accessories' parts

Thursday, 04 October 2007, 19:30 IST
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Kolkata: The Indian Cellular Association (ICA), the apex body of mobile phone manufacturers in India, is preparing to bring in uniformity in the manufacture of mobile accessories in the country. "We are trying to standardise mobile accessories in India. There should be uniformity in the products used for mobile handsets," ICA president Pankaj Mohindroo told reporters here Wednesday. Stressing the importance of using genuine and company approved mobile accessories and enhancements, he said ICA has already endeavoured to rationalise the duty structure on mobile accessories and appealed to the government to lower import duties on batteries from 34 percent to eight percent. "We have recommended this especially for mobile batteries, charger and bluetooth devices," Mohindroo said, adding spurious mobile accessories are mostly smuggled in through two seaports - Kolkata Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) near Mumbai. The industry as a whole is working relentlessly to contain the rampant spread of counterfeit products by engaging with relevant authorities to crack down on bogus dealers. "ICA has been in the forefront in fighting the grey market in mobile handsets and we believe there is an immediate need for the government to intervene in the interest of consumers, as also the growth of the mobile industry," Mohindroo said. According to ICA, nearly 90 million original mobile handsets were sold in India in 2006-07 along with service packs that include an original battery. However around 70-75 percent of the replacement battery market, which is estimated about 45 million, is still dominated by counterfeit products. It is estimated that approximately 85 per cent of the replacement batteries sold in West Bengal are not original. Mohindroo said the total market for mobile accessories in India is valued at over 30 billion, of which mobile batteries contribute about 50 percent. The mobile accessories market in India has been registering 40 percent year-on-year growth over the past two years.
Source: IANS