PLAINFIELD, Ind.—Brightpoint Inc. said it has opened a Moscow office in an effort to tap emerging Eastern European markets.
The company said it will distribute a variety of mobile devices, including Windows Mobile-enabled handsets, and will offer product customization and support for Russian Pocket PC and Smartphone customers. Russia saw its subscriber base grow 67 percent last year, according to figures from Research and Markets, making it the second fastest-growing mobile market in the world.
The country is expected to claim 178 million subscribers by the end of 2010 as Eastern European wireless markets continue to gain steam.
“I believe that the Russian telecom market has the potential to benefit from the value-added logistic services and distribution channels that Brightpoint has offered in other markets,” said Robert Laikin, Brightpoint’s chief executive officer. “The entry into the Russian marketplace strengthens our operations in Europe and positions us well for other key European markets.”
Shares of Brightpoint inched upward following the announcement, climbing 27 cents, or 2 percent, to $13.95 by mid-day.
