By Kim Yoo-chul
Staff Reporter
Samsung and LG Electronics hope for a bigger penetration in Southeast Asian mobile markets to shy away from their high dependence on those of Europe and North America.
For the world’s No. 2 and No. 4 handset manufacturers, respectively, this year’s CommunicAsia trade show might be a good springboard for them to reap rewards from hefty investments.
Samsung said Monday that it will show its latest Omnia mobile and other next-generation telecommunication technology at the show, which will run from Tuesday to Friday in Singapore.
With the theme of ``A Mobile for Every Lifestyle,’’ Samsung will exhibit this year’s strategic 5-megapixel Omnia and Soul handsets, as well as mobile WiMax cellular data standards of ``Universal Radio Access Station’’ by applying 4G multiple input, multiple output technology.
``Introducing the latest mobile technology is Samsung’s intention to match with the show’s theme ― digital convergence,’’ Choi Gee-sung, chief of Samsung’s telecommunication division said.
More than 1,600 companies from China, Japan, France, the U.S. and South Korea will be taking part in Singapore’s yearly mega trade show for high-tech companies around the world.
Samsung’s cross-town rival LG Electronics also wants a part of the limelight by introducing its third black label phone, Secret, in addition to smart, high-function camera handsets.
LG said the Singapore market is a kind of ``test-bed’’ for the expansion of its marketing in neighboring countries such as Malaysia and the Philippines in which the popularity of 3G handsets is relatively high.
``We hope boost strategic partnerships with Singaporean telecommunication service providers to increase LG phones’ premium brand images,’’ a high-ranking LG executive said.