Counterfeit phones hazardous to Nigerian environment —Nokia…As Nokia set to penetrate new markets

Climate change is no doubt a global challenge already. While its causes are traceable to various “anti-nature” human activities, Nokia said last week in Lagos, hinting that Nigeria might be preparing for unpalatable case scenarios by importation and patronage of counterfeit and substandard mobile devices.

Speaking during a media tour of the computer village, in Ikeja, Lagos, the Head of Nokia Care, Mr. Silvin Sinan, outlined other dangers of counterfeit devices to include environmental and health hazards due to substandard materials in their production, lack of warranty in the event of damage, and limited services.

According to Mr. Sinan, the lure of cheap prizes amounts to being penny wise, pound foolish as the so-called cheap devices have a shorter lifespan.

The Nokia Care’s boss stated further that “the menace of counterfeiting transcends the mobile industry to pharmaceuticals, textiles and the music industry”.

He listed the value-added services available on genuine Nokia devices to include services like the Ovi Life Tools which enables Nigerians to get updated information on their health, sports/entertainment, agriculture, as well as exam tips.

He said Nokia was also able to reduce the cost of internet access on their phones through strategic partnership with operators.

On how unsuspecting consumers can identify counterfeit devices, Mr. Sinan explained that all the buyer needed to do was send an sms of the IMEI number, (which is available on the phone package) to 32053.

“The buyer will then receive an sms that the phone has a 12-month Nigeria-warranty. According to Sinan, non-receipt of this sms is evidence that the phone being purchased is probably a counterfeit device. This new system now offers Nokia faithfuls an easier way to determine if their phone has a valid warranty”, he said.

Mr Sinan also stressed the need for users of Nokia phones to take full advantage of the numerous applications available on Ovi store, including music, videos, games and navigation. The Ovi store is only available on genuine Nokia devices.

The Nokia warranty starts from the date of purchase and it guarantees the user of repair at no cost and even replacement in the event of malfunction.

Journalists were also taken to one of the Nokia Care centres in Lagos where Nokia phones are repaired. The media tour is part of activities designed by Nokia in a campaign tagged “Be Original, Buy Original”.

Meanwhile, president and CEO of Nokia Corporation, Stephen Elop, has said Nokia’s new smartphone strategy is the catalyst that will help the mobile giant penetrate the U.S market and other markets where Nokia is not a dominant player.

Stephen Elop was speaking in Dubai during a media roundtable with journalists drawn across the Middle East and Africa. He said everything was being put in place to ensure that the Nokia windows phone gives consumers a delightful experience.

He was however not specific on when consumers across the world should expect the official release of the smartphone. Mr Elop disclosed that priority markets would be considered first before other markets.
On Ovi store which is Nokia’s proprietary platform for applications, games, navigation and other services, Mr. Elop maintained that the platform would not be discarded in the wake of the emergence of Nokia Windows phones.

Mr Elop also maintained that low-end devices built on Symbian will continue to compliment the smartphone strategy. Nokia dominates the global mobile phone market but is now a challenger in the smartphone category

The Nokia CEO said he was very pleased with the contribution of the Middle East and Africa market to Nokia’s overall corporate performance. He said such contribution will be matched with appropriate investment.

Mr Elop was very optimistic about the Nokia’s prospects in the global mobile industry. He stated that he had received tremendous support and goodwill from partners, telecom operators, consumers and nokia staff in his bid to evolve a new strategic direction for the mobile giant.

source : Tribune