• Alcatel will manufacture smartphones in India and set up a nationwide after-sales network.
  • Flipkart is under scrutiny by the CCI for alleged exclusive deals and predatory pricing practices.

French smartphone maker Alcatel is making a comeback in India after nearly a decade, this time with a strong “Make in India” push.

The company has entered into a retail partnership with Flipkart to launch its new range of smartphones on the e-commerce platform and its quick commerce vertical, Minutes.

As part of this move, Alcatel will manufacture smartphones locally and establish a pan-India after-sales service network. The partnership is aimed at reaching consumers across metropolitan areas as well as tier II and III cities.

“… This strategic partnership with Flipkart is instrumental in bringing that vision to life. Leveraging Flipkart’s expansive reach and deep market insights, we aim to offer high-quality products backed by a reliable, seamless after-sales service, ensuring an elevated consumer experience across the country,” said Atul Vivek, Chief Business Officer of Alcatel.

Alcatel, operated globally by China-based TCL Communication under a trademark license from Nokia, has a presence in more than 160 countries. It first entered the Indian market in 1996 but exited in 2016 following Nokia’s acquisition of Alcatel-Lucent.

The renewed entry comes at a time when Flipkart is under scrutiny by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for alleged preferential treatment of sellers and exclusive product launches with OEMs like Samsung and Xiaomi.

These issues have led to legal challenges, with the Supreme Court transferring related cases to the Karnataka High Court earlier this year.

Simultaneously, Flipkart is ramping up its quick commerce operations through its Minutes platform. With over 200 dark stores across 14 cities, the company aims to increase this number to 500-550 ahead of its flagship ‘Big Billion Days’ sale.

To support these expansion plans, Flipkart received a $379 Mn capital infusion from its Singapore-based holding company.

Edited by Annette George