It is said that the Indian Telecommunications Authority has personally developed a software called DND (the latest upgrade is DND2.0). The main purpose of this software is to track and combat Indian telesponders, such as frequent calls or sending. Spam agency. However, Apple refused to let the software be available in the official software store. Apple believes that the software has captured the user's call and SMS records, infringing on personal privacy.
Previously, the Indian Telecommunications Authority required all Indian operators to force this 'anti-harassment' application to its communications equipment. Although Apple explicitly rejected this request, the Indian Telecommunications Authority stated that if Apple continues to be uncooperative, and Indian telecom operators will completely ban Apple's iPhone from using network communications. That is, if Apple continues to refuse to put the software in the software store, all iPhones in India will completely lose 3G, 4G and other communication connections.
Last Thursday, the Indian Telecommunications Authority issued a public statement reiterating that all smartphone users in India, whether it is an iPhone with an IOS system or a mobile phone with an Android system, should be able to install the DND 2.0 version of the software. It is a mobile operator, not a mobile phone manufacturer. The Authority stated that in six months, all smartphones should be installed with DND software. If the relevant mobile phone is not allowed to be installed, then under the Telecommunications Authority’s order, mobile operations The merchant must log off these phones from the mobile network.
For the Indian market, Apple CEO Tim Cook is very valued. Cook has publicly hinted that India may become the next China and said it will aggressively enter the Indian market. Although the price of the iPhone is beyond the reach of most people, he predicts The young, aspiring Indians will have a higher socioeconomic status. In May, he said in a conference call with investors that Apple's income in India has increased, setting a record for the first half of 2018.
However, the reality is not as good as Cook's imagination. According to Counterpoint Research, Apple's market share in India is only 2%. In 2017, only 3.2 million iPhones were sold. In the first half of 2018, iPhone sales in India were less than 1 million units. Even though sales have increased significantly in the second half of the year, total sales are expected to be lower than last year.
To make matters worse, Bloomberg reports that in recent weeks, Apple’s three key executives in India have resigned, and senior executives who have left the company include the company’s national sales and distribution director, business channel and mid-market business leader. And telecom operator sales executive. A person familiar with the matter said that Apple's sales team in India is undergoing restructuring. The reason is that it is difficult for the company to increase iPhone sales in India, the world's fastest growing smartphone market.
Regardless of whether Apple's mobile phone will agree to put the DND software required by the Indian Telecommunications Authority on the App Store in the future, the iPhone will not be better in India. The Indian government is promoting the localization of high-end electronic products and the resulting tariff increase, making the big Most mobile phone manufacturers are facing further profit pressure.
According to Bloomberg, the Indian market is currently in a low purchasing power stage. Most consumers can only afford the cost of cheap mobile phones. Because of the high price, the iPhone can only be consumed by a few people.