The Mobile Business Is Not For The Faint-hearted

Anirvan Ghosh/ Forbes India

D. Shivakumar, who was the managing director of Nokia India, says that to win the Indian market, you need a good brand with scale and constant innovation.

D. Shivakumar
Age: 52
Designation: Senior Vice President (Sales), India, Middle East and Africa Region, Nokia. Formerly Managing Director, Nokia India
Career: Joined Nokia India in 2006. Prior to that was heading the consumer electronics business of Philips India. Has also spent several years with Hindustan Levers
Education: Graduated from IIT Madras in 1982 and IIM Kolkata in 1984
Interests: Is passionate about writing, teaching and is an avid sports watcher

You joined Nokia in 2006. How has the Indian handset market changed over these five years?
A lot has changed. In 2006, the total mobile subscriber base was under 100 million. Today we have nearly 600 million subscribers