Mobile phones based on the latest 4G technology may be available at a price of as low as $100 (around Rs 6,200) in next 18 months, says mobile chipset maker Broadcom.
“Operators in the US are looking to buy 4G mobile phones for USD 100. They are not there yet but they are heading in that direction ... 18 months time should be reasonable to achieve it,” Broadcom Mobile Senior Director (Mobile Platform Solutions) Michael Civiello told the news agency. The 4G technology is nearly five-times faster than its predecessor 3G but handsets that work on this ultra fast service are costly.
The lowest priced 4G phone is available at around Rs 18,000 in India. However, most of such handsets cost above Rs 40,000. On the other hand, 3G phones have seen major price drop to as low as Rs 4,000 in the market. Civiello said that the $100 4G devices will not come from big Tier I global brands. “It will come from some local brand or no brand company who is not putting any marketing dollar in phone,not putting any promotional campaign etc.”