MyAdhan Blog

Link: Pakistan: Illegal cell-phone imports hurting handset market

Pakistan handset market comprises of number of authorised dealers but still large portion of handsets come illegally via smuggling, individual carrier of new, used and refurbished sets from European, Middle Eastern markets and other routes. This fact was revealed by annual report of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Report said that another dilemma faced by these original brands is import tampered mobile sets in the form of refurbished handsets by unauthorised dealers, which are also called software-pirated handsets. It also said that most common complain of mobile phone companies is a presence of large number of branded mobile phones copies in the market, which is hammering the original sets image and sales. Chinese mobile phones are also becoming popular in the market, as they are very cheap and equipped with new technologies and software’s. Report disclosed that copies of Chinese mobile phones, equipped with same functions and software are openly being sold in the market as they are they are comparatively much cheaper as against the original brands. In addition, shopkeepers are also offering warranties for these imitation mobiles, similar to that of branded set.