Brightstar strengthens focus on Southeast Asia
The very rapid growth of smart-phone use in Southeast Asia (about 2.1 million units in 2011, expected to surpass 4 million this year) has created challenges for operators as they quickly adapt and enhance product and service offerings to meet the demand a
Globally, data-centric tariffs and usage-based bundles are common methods to stimulate smart-phone adoption. Increasingly, mobile operators across Southeast Asia are addressing these challenges with pricing and product innovations unique to their markets and customers.
Southeast Asian operators are beginning to offer expanded services, such as mobile security, handset protection and recycling programmes, to create differentiation and increase customer loyalty, particularly for smart-phone users.
As Thailand gears up for a nationwide roll-out of third-generation cellular service, consumers are demanding more sophisticated devices and aspiring to switch to the most cutting-edge device as soon as it becomes available.
With the growth of smart-phone use and such connected devices, mobile operators and carriers need to be aware not only of traditional voice and text usage, but also of how much data each user consumes, as well as ways to optimise sales channels, infrastructure, support systems and supply chains.
Brightstar has been appointed exclusive supply-chain provider for Total Access Communication, one of Thailand’s leading mobile operators. As mobile devices and the smart-phone market continue to deliver strong growth in Thailand, the agreement with DTAC is part of a growing list of supply-chain service engagements Brightstar has entered with wireless operators around the world.
Brightstar says it helps operators and retailers manage this growth by ensuring an efficient supply chain exists, using global best practices in systems and processes to bring deeper understanding and insight into how customers use, manage and value their devices.
With world-class supply-chain solutions and insights, DTAC and Brightstar together believe they will be able to streamline procurement, retail distribution and all aspects of reverse logistics throughout the country.
Marcelo Claure, Brightstar’s president, chairman and chief executive officer, a member of the Forum of Young Global Leaders of the World Economic Forum, said he was pleased to be visiting Bangkok to attend the WEF on East Asia meeting late this month.
Claure will be participating in various sessions related to information and communication technology as well as going to gatherings with forum participants, industry experts, government officials and the media.
