This boom that transformed the way people communicated also made Nepal one of the fast growing markets for mobile handset makers over this period. [break]
In cities, 9 out of 10 people can be seen carrying mobile sets. Though this rate of mobile set holding is lower in urban and still down in rural areas, the types of sets that are available in the market suggest companies see Nepal as a good market for their sets.
This raises an obvious question as to how big the country’s telephone or cellular set market is?
If records of Trade and Export Promotion Center (TEPC) are anything to go by, the market stands somewhere around Rs 14 billion.
The TEPC data for 2010/11 shows Nepal imported Rs 10.79 billion worth of line telephone sets, cordless handsets along with modem and other equipments used for communication purposes.
That is not all. Nepal imported additional Rs 4.54 billion worth of telephones used for cellular or cordless networking. Nepal cellular phone market was worth just Rs 2.26 billion in 2008/09. In 2009/10, it expanded by almost three-fold and stood at Rs 6.01 billion.
The figure reflects mere the import volume. If the value addition and profit margin along different chain of sale is to be added, the market size will be still larger.
No wonder, companies dealing in mobile sets and other communication technology products are always making new efforts to lure buyers and tap the business.
News and advertisements of new launch always feature in popular media.
New sets are equipped with special features that support data transfer as well as entertainment needs of general consumers. Dealers are also offering free of cost after sales service and special plans in a bid to lure buyers.
In the process, consumers find themselves in the most advantageous position as they can get hold of chic sets with latest technology and features that serve both personal and professional needs as soon as they are launched in the international market.
Expansion of market and companies push to catch major share in the market, which ultimately benefits and empowers consumers.
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