Motorola Forecasts Continued Success in North Africa

By Eddyson Lugangwa Posted 03 July 2006 @ 06:48 pm EET     Print     Reprint     E-Mail     Comments

Cairo (IBTimes.com) - Just after an outstanding spectacle at the, Motorazr V3i Dolce & Gabbana launch which took place in splendor at the Mohammed Ali Palace in Cairo last week senior level executives at Motorola have unveiled exciting regional initiatives with the aim of building on the growth.

Allen Burnes, Motorola Mobile Devices' Corporate Vice President for high growth markets, said that the handset vendor is anticipating some of its most dynamic growth from the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan, and Turkey, increased mobile penetration, as well as the prevalence of youth in these markets with some countries having up to 40% of the population below the age of 30 years are among the factors driving Motorola's growth there.

"North Africa is one of the fastest-growing markets for Motorola globally the addressable market from Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco alone is almost 15 million potential subscribers," said Burnes.

"Our ethos to provide consumers with the highest quality mobile devices in the latest and most iconic designer packaging proved the basis for our success in the first quarter of this year," Burnes continued.

New Handsets Anticipated for Second Half 2006 Patrick Mulligan, Area Director for Motorola's Mobile Devices Business, previewed a number of the new mobile handsets that will reach markets around MENA in the second half of 2006.

"Our drive for the remainder of the year will see the continued expansion of our dynamically different range of handsets, incorporating an increased selection of devices with MP3, 3G and Bluetooth applications.""Clamshell designs such as the RAZR V3i and PEBL have stormed through MENA regional markets over the last 12 months and, judging by the response we've had following its innovative launch ceremony in Dubai last month, our 1cm 'candybar' SLVR handset is set to prove just as popular," Mulligan added.

More than 15 new handsets and mobile accessories are planned for launch over the next nine months and, in addition to 'fashionista'-focused devices like the MOTORAZR V3i DG, and the ever popular PEBL phone - which is now available in a range of tempting 'rainbow' colours, and the SLVR handset, which is also sold in bubblegum pink.

"Mobile subscribers in the MENA region are among the most demanding in the world and, quite rightly, expect a lot from Motorola in terms of style and functionality," Mulligan concluded.