Tokyo and Beijing, January 13, 2005-NEC
Corporation announced that NEC Telecommunications (China) opened
its first exclusive mobile phone retail store in Beijing on January
12th.
Ben Nakamura, NEC's Senior Vice President and member of the board
commented at the opening ceremony: "China has the world's largest
consumer population and we are sure that NEC Telecom China will
continue to drive success in this largest telecommunications
market."
In addition to this Beijing store, NEC Telecom China has also
opened another exclusive store in Guangzhou selling NEC mobile
phones exclusively. The company is planning to open 10 more
exclusive stores by the end of 2005.
In August 2004, NEC Telecom China introduced a new branding
strategy "Get Personal" to further expand its mobile business in
China. "Get Personal" is a branding platform to help NEC increase
its awareness in the telecom arena and build brand loyalty in
China. NEC Telecom China is aiming to position the company as the
most creative, leading mobile solutions company in China. The
branding Campaign is the latest challenge regarding current brand
perception is to create a unique, human and user-friendly image,
showing NEC`s deeper level of communication with consumers by
defining ourselves as a "people company, which proactively reaches
out to customers to gain knowledge about their needs in China.
Apart from NEC exclusive stores, NEC Telecom China has opened
around 2000 branded retail outlets last year. NEC Telecom China has
begun to redesign these stores under its concept of branding
campaign "Get Personal". Around 1200 branded retail outlets in 210
cities of China will be redesigned by the Chinese New Year (Mid
February) and others within the first half of 2005.
As a result of the ongoing branding campaign and other key business
initiatives since the founding of the new NEC Telecommunications
company, business is certainly picking up: (Source; SINO) -NEC
mobile phone brand awareness grew significantly from 56.1% to 63%
in key cities and brand appreciation score increased from 34% to
50%; -NEC mobile phone market share ranking rose up to No. 11 as of
December of 2004 from the one of No. 23 in August, 2004.
-There was a record product shipment in the fourth quarter of 2004,
which was over four times of the total shipment of the first
quarter of 2004.
"Going forward, NEC Telecom China will continue to drive business
growth. We plan to launch more than 30 new 2.5G products in 2005
and get fully prepared to enter into the 3G era in the China
market. "Said Brian Lu, President of NEC Telecommunications
(China).
About NEC Telecommunications (China)
NEC Telecommunications (China) is a company and also a business
entity that promotes mobile internet and 3rd generation (3G) mobile
solutions business. The company plays a key role in leading NEC's
global SCM of mobile business; promoting local development and
branding and, at the same time, pursuing further cooperation with
mobile operators to develop the most appropriate solutions that are
in line with the development of the mobile industry. NEC's leading
position in mobile Internet technologies and high- value-added
mobile Internet terminals in Japan and other parts of the world has
given the company an edge for its rapid business expansion in
China. Under the leadership of President Lu, the new structure will
further introduce its total mobile solutions to China, ranging from
2.5G and 3G mobile terminals to total mobile network infrastructure
systems, mobile application platforms, telecom software, and other
advanced technologies.
About NEC's Mobile Business
NEC is a total solution provider for 3G and mobile Internet. It has
been involved in every first-stage rollout of 3G systems worldwide.
It is also responsible for developing the first 3G handsets for the
world's first 3G networks. NEC has competence in the mobile
Internet field with its mobile infrastructure system, mobile
application platform and its impressive portfolio of contents.
NEC's mobile handsets are known for their prominent technologies
including large color screens, built-in cameras and other functions
that make them ideal for use in the mobile Internet.
About NEC's Business Development in China
NEC has been involved in businesses in China for more than 30
years, contributing to the deployment of most telecommunications
infrastructures such as public switching systems, optical
transmission systems, microwave systems, broadcasting
infrastructure systems and enterprise communication systems. It has
also pursued technology transfer to local joint venture partners.
Currently, NEC is focusing on computers and communications software
development, semiconductor design, system integrations and basic
research and development activities by cooperating and mutually
leveraging competences among Japanese and Chinese engineers. In
every aspect of NEC's business management, China has become an
important market.
Media Contact:
Akiko Shikimori
NEC Corporation
Tel: 81-3-3798-6511