GoodGuide is a website set up in the US of A and by all accounts is a spin-off from the  TechCrunch50 crowd. How they differ from other chart sites is that they have a rating system based on social and environmental issues. This means they take in to account the materials used, the packaging the phone comes in, the effectiveness of the charger and even the details of the carbon footprint the phone has getting from factory to store, to your hands.

In its latest research it has shown that Nokia has the best credentials of any phone manufacturer, taking more care and pride in its products than anyone else.

However, for those who need a quick overview, here are is the list of criteria:

Energy management (product)
Toxic waste (product)
Environmental disclosure (product)
Product management (product)
Eco-materials management (product)
Green production practices (company)
Extended producer responsibility (company)

Want to know which device came top overall? Well it was the Nokia C6, that’s right, the funky little 3.2-inch smartphone with the slide-out QWERTY keyboard that many thought was just a simple Nokia N97 Mini update.

Check out the most environmentally sensible phone manufacturers:
1. Nokia
2. Sony Ericsson
3. Apple
4. Pantech
5. Palm
6. Kyocera Sanyo
7. Motorola
8. HTC
9. Samsung
10. Curitel

So, there you have it, Nokia beats all other manufacturers hand down when it comes to the eco-stakes. Sure, companies are improving and we can all do are bit to help preserve the Earth’s resources. The question is, are mobile phone manufacturers being as eco-friendly as they can be? Let us know what you think in the Comments below

• Customers at TMS to get booklet containing wide range of discount vouchers for high-end travelling destinations, eating-out, lifestyle and holidaying
• Upto 30 % off on select handsets from top brands, such as, Nokia, Samsung, Blackberry, Motorola, LG, Micromax and Spice
• Mobile Phone accessories free with a wide range of handsets

With romance in the air, the month of February brings an array of offers to all The MobileStore customers.  So, now buyers can own the latest handset that they have always desired from the wide range , at best prices and also get a booklet full of discount coupons to enjoy the whole month holidaying, travelling and eating out at never- before- rates with their special ones.

To reiterate its commitment to the Indian mobile consumers and to reward customers who have shown continued loyalty, by retuning to The MobileStore time and again, the country’s largest telecom retailer has introduced special February offers for all its customers.

Here is a chance to avail a “Discount voucher booklet” on purchase of every mobile handset above Rs. 3000/, and extend your Valentine day celebration to the entire month by availing a wide range of discounts and offers on holidays, travelling, shopping, gifts, lifestyle, dining and entertainment. In fact the customers can spend on things they have always wanted.

The MobileStore is also offering select handsets at great discounts upto 30% off from various brands ranging from Nokia, Samsung, Blackberry, Motorola, LG, Micromax and Spice to make the month even more exciting, Besides these the stores are also offering a wide range of phone accessories free on select handsets.

Commenting on the new offering, Mr. Alok Gupta, Group Head –Essar Retail, said “We, at The MobileStore are always striving to make a better connect with the consumers. Sometime back we introduced Dial-a-phone offer, which has set a new trend in the industry. Now with the February offers we expect to get even closer to our customers. Experience selling being the hallmark of our stores, we are always eager to give something more to our customers; hence we will continue to come up with innovative schemes. The February offers are one step closer towards enhancing buying experience.”

The offers are available across 1100 stores spread over 200 cities in India, throughout February. Needless to say that it would be the early birds who will benefit the most. So indulge in shopping like never before.

However having such a large industry was never a boom for Indian economy. It maybe called financial ignorance on the part of regulatory authority. To understand it no rocket science is needed. Lets understand it with a example. say Nokia launches a model ‘A’ in Indian market bearing a price of rs. 15000. In next 6 months price reduces to rs.6000 without any government relaxation to manufacturer. Interesting part is government do not earn anything on net profit when it was sold at  rs. 15000.

please allow me to clarify it. when product A was launched in Indian market with a price tag of Rs.15000. then its Indian partner which is HCL was allowed to purchase it on say rs 13000. so all taxes were applicable on difference of 15000 and 13000 as profit tax. And this rs. 2000 was shared with National importer (HCL) then Regional distributor then micro distributor and then dealer. so government levied tax on this rs. 2000 as profit. which again may be adjusted against expenses say marketing and operational expenses. however government was not entitled profit tax for difference in  cost and selling price. which is difference of  rs. 5000 (cost price)  and 13000 (transfer price to HCL).

Now the question is why government is not entitled tax or benefits on this difference ( difference in cost and selling price). First these handsets were not being produced in India. Now they have set up manufacturing units in India but for low end handsets. so HCL was importing handets from China, Taiwan, singapore or Finland. And at there transfer price was set up high so that profit could not be shared with Indian government as tax. second with most of the ountry india has double taxation treaty which allows manufacturer to pay tax on a particular head in one country only.

lets take example of it. In Singapore highest individual tax is 8% and in India it s 30% plus cess. So if a nokia personnel is recruited in India for a annual package of say Rs. 1 crore then tax will be at least 30 % i.e. 30 lacs. so what Nokia prefers is to station this person in Singapore and pay tax just rs. 8 lacs. In this e-age it is simple to mange work sitting abroad and with frequent visits. As air fare between Delhi and Singapore are cheaper than air fare between Delhi and Kerala.

Here is where brands like Karbonn, Maxx, Micromax , Lawa and spice saw the opportunity. Continue in part 2…