BlackBerry shoots for top spot in Thai market
BlackBerry says it expects to gain the No 1 position in Thai mobile-phone market in three years.
The firm has introduced the BlackBerry Z10 to this market, and expects to provide new products to cover all segments by the end of the year. It also will open a BlackBerry Experience Centre to provide demonstrations and experience to users.
Benoit Nalin, the first country director for Thailand at BlackBerry, said the firm expected to be the No 1 mobile-phone manufacturer in this market within three years. To achieve this, it has three key strategies. It will provide innovative devices such as the Z10 smart phone, form strong partnerships with telecom operators to provide its new products to the market, and cooperate with local developers of mobile applications.
The Z10 is designed to run on the company’s new BlackBerry 10 operating system. The company says it provides a new and unique mobile computing experience. It sells for Bt20,900.
BlackBerry will join with three local mobile operators to provide special offers in the near future. Moreover, it will officially launch the BlackBerry Experience Centre on the fifth floor of Siam Center in Bangkok this month. It plans to set up two more Experience Centres in key cities later.
Nalin said the company now had more than 10 local partners to provide mobile apps including Nation TV, Kom Chad Luek and Krungthep Turakij newspapers, and Kantana film-production company.
“Thailand is an important country for BlackBerry. It is a big market … We are looking to be No 1 in the Thai mobile market,” Nalin said.
He said the company used QNX software technology in its new smart phones. QNX was the first to give drivers access to e-mail messages from Bluetooth-connected BlackBerry phones. The technology provides real-time interactivity and allows drivers to use their smart phones safely and conveniently while in their cars.
The company plans to provide new smart phones to cover all segments from entry level to the high end, with prices starting at Bt5,000. It will bring the BlackBerry Q10 and BB7 to the Thai market this year.
The BlackBerry Z10 was introduced to the global market in early January, and the company claims that it has sold more than a million units worldwide.
