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Nokia forms new partnership with Cellstar in China
February 17, 1998
CellStar appointed as one of Nokia's authorised distributors in one of the industry's fastest growing markets
Nokia today announced the appointment of CellStar as an authorised distributor of Nokia cellular phones & accessories within China.
China, the largest GSM market in Asia Pacific, is one of the world's largest and fastest growing cellular markets. Both Nokia and CellStar have made significant local investments and are committed to investing further in China. The new partnership marks both Nokia's and CellStar's efforts to respond effectively to the market's tremendous growth.
"At CellStar, we are confident that the combination of Nokia's strong brand equity, their progressive growth strategy and full product line-up for all market segments will further strengthen CellStar's existing position in the China cellular market" said Gilbert Lee, General Manager, Greater China for CellStar. "We are excited about representing Nokia's products and look forward to a successful relationship."
Commenting on the partnership, Pertti Simovaara, General Manager, Nokia Mobile Phones, Greater China, said: "CellStar has a substantial local presence in China including a wholly-owned foreign entity, warehousing and distribution hubs in Shanghai and Beijing, and a significant number of franchise stores throughout China. With their extensive distribution network and retail experience in China today, we are assured that this will be a partnership of mutual strengths for greater success."
Nokia cellular phones to be distributed by CellStar will be supplied from Beijing Nokia Mobile Telecommunications Ltd (BNMT). BNMT is a joint venture between Nokia and Beijing Telecommunications Equipment Factory 506 which manufactures both cellular phones and telecommunications infrastructure. BNMT has recently increased manufacturing capacity to meet the increasing market demand. The factory has also begun production of Nokia's latest innovation, the Nokia 6110 cellular phone for deliveries to Asia Pacific markets.
CellStar Corporation is a global integrated wholesaler and retailer of wireless phones and wireless communications products with operations in the United States, the Asia Pacific Region, Latin America and Europe. CellStar is one of the world's largest non-carrier wholesale distributors of wireless phones for leading manufacturers to the wireless communications industry.
Headquartered in Finland, Nokia is a broad-scope telecommunications company supplying mobile phones, mobile and fixed telecommunications networks, data communications solutions, multimedia terminals and PC monitors. With sales in 130 countries, net sales totaled FIM 52.6 billion ($9.8 billion) in 1997. Nokia employs more than 36,000 people worldwide.
For further information, please contact:
Mr David Stoneham,
Communications Manager, Corporate Communications, Nokia Greater China, at:
Tel: 86-10-6532-6555 (Ext. 9922)
Fax:86-10-6532-6457
Ms Wong Mei Ling,
Communications Executive, Nokia Mobile Phones, Asia Pacific
Ms Suguna Madhavan,
General Manager, Communications, Nokia Mobile Phones, Asia Pacific, at
Tel: 65-3805-263/267
Fax: 65-3805266
Mr Gilbert Lee
General Manager, Greater China, CellStar
Tel: 86-10-6506-4652
Fax: 86-10-6506-4651
Nokia Group website at http://www.nokia.com or Nokia Asia Pacific website at http://nokia-asia.com
CellStar website can be found at http://www.cellstar.com
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