itel beats Samsung, turns fastest growing smartphone brand in Bangladesh
Dhaka, May 9: itel became the fastest growing smartphone brand in Bangladesh with a growth of 564 per cent year-on-year (YoY) in the first quarter of 2018, capturing 10 per cent market share.
It left behind South Korean electronics major Samsung that saw 46 per cent decline in shipments, a new report said on Wednesday.
According to market research firm Counterpoint Research, Chinese brands continued to grow in Bangladesh and now capture 38 per cent of the smartphone segment growing 25 per cent YoY while the overall market declined.
"Bangladesh's smartphone market declined 18 per cent YoY as consumers decided to postpone their device purchases in anticipation of value for money 4G smartphone offerings in the coming quarters," Tarun Pathak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, said in a statement.
"4G network rollout started during first quarter of 2018 by leading telcos such as Grameenphone, Robi Axiata and Banglalink. As network coverage expands over a period of time, the demand of 4G smartphones will pick-up in the coming quarters," he added.
According to Counterpoint's estimates, the overall smartphone market in Bangladesh would grow 16 per cent YoY in calendar year 2018.
Although Chinese brands grew in the country with affordable offering in the sub-$100 segment, Bangladeshi brand Symphony continued to lead the market with its value-for-money offerings.
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Beauty of democracy: Tharoor congratulates BJP on civic body poll win in his constituency
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday, while lauding the win of the UDF in Kerala local bodies elections, also congratulated the BJP for its historic performance in his Thiruvananthapuram constituency, calling it the "beauty of democracy".
In a post on X, he said the people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in his constituency.
"What a day of amazing results in the Kerala local self-government elections! The mandate is clear, and the democratic spirit of the state shines through.
"A huge congratulations to @UDFKerala for a truly impressive win across various local bodies! This is a massive endorsement and a powerful signal ahead of the state legislative elections. Hard work, a strong message and anti-incumbency have all clearly paid off to achieve a much better result than in 2020," Tharoor said.
He said he also acknowledges the historic performance of the BJP in Thiruvananthapuram, and "offer humble congratulations on their significant victory in the city corporation - a strong showing that marks a notable shift in the capital's political landscape."
Tharoor said he campaigned for a change from 45 years of the LDF "misrule", but the voters have ultimately rewarded another party that also sought a clear change in governance.
"That is the beauty of democracy. The people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in my constituency.
"We will continue to work for the betterment of Kerala, advocating for the people's needs and upholding the principles of good governance. Onwards and upwards!" Tharoor, who is the MP from Thiruvananthapuram, said.
The lotus bloomed in the state capital as the BJP-led NDA achieved a resounding win in the polls for the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, snatching it from the CPI(M)-led LDF and marking an end to 45 years of continuous Left rule in the local body.
The win in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation will act as a boost for the BJP in the 2026 Assembly polls, especially in the state capital.
Of the 101 wards in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the BJP won 50, LDF 29, UDF 19 and two wards were won by independent candidates.
The BJP is one seat short of a decisive majority in the corporation.
Besides this, the NDA retained the Palakkad municipality after a close battle with the Congress-led UDF and wrested the Thrippunithura Municipality from the grand old party.
In Thrissur, from where Suresh Gopi won in the Lok Sabha polls last year, the BJP won 18 out of the 46 wards in Kodungallur Municipality, eight in Thrissur Corporation, two each in Guruvayoor and Vadakkancherry municipalities, seven in Kunnamkulam Municipality, six in Irinjalakuda Municipality and one in Chalakudy Municipality.
