2.5 crore Indians suffering due to non-availability of new handsets: ICEA

NEW DELHI: Nearly 2.5 crore users of smartphones, feature phones and mobile devices such as tablets and laptops are now facing the crisis of having to work without a functioning device in the country, ICEA said in a statement on Friday.

ICEA represents the likes of Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Apple, Lava and contract manufacturers like Foxconn and Wistron.

“We have written to the government that these numbers will expand to nearly 4 crores before the end of May. It is critical that mobile device sales via online, and in a phased manner via retail, as well as service centres with facilities for home delivery and pickup must be declared as “essential services,” in addition to grocery and medicines,” said Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman, ICEA.