JOIN USXiaomi Inc, the world’s third largest smartphone vendor based out of China, wants to be known as an Internet platform and services company than a mere hardware manufacturer.
Talking to Deccan Herald, Xiaomi Vice-President Hugo Barra said that the company’s strategy is to go more local with a focussed approach with the concept of software first and hardware later.
“We have developed a platform called MIUI user interface, apps and many more intuitive features for all our Mi phones. We want to give more value-added services embedded in the phone so that consumers will benefit from it,” he said.
Talking on the Indian market strategy, Barra said that he wants Xiaomi to be known as a company with an Indian identity, so that more consumers will come and buy its products.
“Here we have an exhaustive plan starting with opening 100 exclusive servicing centres pan India. We want to set up a research and development centre so that more local apps for local customers can be produced,” he said.
This will be followed by opening local data servers and then going in for local manufacturing. Barra said that most of these facilities will be located in Bengaluru.
About the Indian scenario for 4G, he said, “4G will really be a disruptive technology for the Indian smartphone market and we are happy to bring out the first 4G-enabled smartphone, Redmi Note, priced at Rs 9,999 from December onwards,” he said.
Barra said that recent security concerns in India on data confidentiality are speculations to tarnish the image of the company. “These is misinformation. We are complying with all international norms and never tap customer data. We are ready to change our data centres throughout the globe and will start one in India soon.”