Abuja — Samsung Electronics is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communication. In this interview with PETER JONES AILUORIO, the product manager, Audio visual, Samsung Electronics, Mr. Young Park spoke on LED TV, the slimmest Tv in the market, the proposed Samsung factory to be sited in Nigeria and other issues bothering on technology growth in Nigeria.

Excerpts:

I understand that you have just launched the slimmest TV in the world, could you tell us what the product is all about?

Samsung LED TV is a whole new species of television. It is a new HDTV technology that eco-friendliness .This is in addition to an advanced connectivity options that will keep you entertained 24/7. It includes Internet on TV that allows you to receive content via Yahoo, Flickr, and other online TV Widgets on screen. USB 2.0 Movie- Multi-Media Center makes it easy to watch movies, browse photos and listen to music on your TV. The Samsung UN55B8000 LED HDTV also makes it easy to be green with up to 40% less power consumption than conventional LCDs. Ultra brilliant Samsung LED TVs produce true life images contrast, color and clarity.

5,000,000:1 Mega Contrast provides an incredible range of brightness - from pure blacks to pristine whites. Advanced Color Processing enables a wider range of natural colors and provides greater depth for a vibrant, captivating picture - even with subtle colors. Plus our Auto Motion Plus 240Hz technology eliminates virtually all motion blur leaving your picture smooth and crisp - and your jaw dropped.

With this innovation, our consumers have optional Wall Mount (WMN1000B), our astonishingly slim LED TVs can be hung just like a picture frame - less than two inches from the wall. Only this frame is made with a hint of grey. We call it a Touch of Color. One look at it and its soft, square corners is all it takes to see that this isn't just a TV you're hanging. But a work of art

HDTV technology contained in a razor-thin silhouette. Stunning at only 1.2" deep, Samsung LED TVs are our slimmest HDTVs yet. It is also supported by a unique stand with an elegant, crystal-clear neck.

Samsung LED TVs are easy on the planet as well as the eyes. Samsung LED TVs use 40% less power than conventional LCD TVs* and are mercury free. So you can put your feet up and relax knowing you're leaving a smaller carbon footprint.

What do you intend to achieve with this new product?.

Our target is to point the way forward in technology. We are committed and optimistic about invention of modern technology.

We in Samsung are here to point the way forward. We are all about the future. Samsung has been maximizing technology for some time now.

As you can see, the new LED TV apart from its super and enhanced quality reduces negative impact other TVs have on the environment. This is the kind of impact we want make in peoples' life. Ultimately, all our efforts with our partners is to create super products and services for better future.

This is a product of research. After the ongoing research, we will have the next year model. Actually, LED TV is one of the results of our research. It is comfortable and is an internet enabled TV. LED is the technology of the future.

How affordable is this LED TV? Is it affordable by an average Nigerian or is meant for a special class of people?

This question is very important. Every body says we have LD TV now because LD TV is a new trend for the TV market. LED TV is different from our competitors' because LD TV is a world turner TV. In case of competitors for example, LG or Sunny, the LED is not a TV, it is actually a monitor because everybody can identify a TV as a TV, if it is a turner and since LED is not a turner it is not a TV rather it is a monitor. So, with that we do not have a competitor and our LED TV can not be priced alongside with just other Tvs in the market.

The price can't be a problem because last year, all new tech were sold at high price but within six months to one year, the prices came down.

The LCD TV from last year to now has been selling at the same prices in naira terms, even with the devaluation of naira. In reality, the dollar price has come down up to 30 per cent in one year. So, this is what is likely to happen to all technology that comes in as they keep pilling up, the prices keep coming down. But one thing we are sure of is that it is affordable and cost effective.

How many products do you have in the TV family here in Nigerian at present?

We have all products. LED; LCD, Plasma everything. Outside your LCD and your Plasma, what differentiates the LCD and Plasma from the new LED?

LCD and LED are essentially different TVs because they are using different source of light. In the case of LED we are using Light Emitting Dial light source, and in the case of LCD we are using Liquid Crystal Display. So absolutely, they are different Tvs. The benefit of LED Tv over LCD is that LED is 3.10, more beautiful picture quality than LCD with strong colours. It has better motion characteristics also.

Parts of its special features are the eco friendly features. In case of LCD Tv, they are using some kind of bulb, it is a little bit harmful to human beings, but in the case of LED, we don't use light bulbs. So, LED is 100 per cent eco-friendly product. Last one is that in case of hanging on the wall, the LCD is very thick whereas LED is very light, like picture frame.

Looking at the new LED Tv, I found out that it has a USB port, what and what can these ports be used for. Elaborate on that?

These days, most of the digital devises you see have USB port. The new LED Tv has a port of 2.20 functions. With this, our customers can watch home movies without any connection. As you know, to see the movies which are in the desktop, you have to connect the PC cable to TV and also you need an additional sound cable to connect the Tv and PC. In case of LED Tv, you do not need to connect your laptops to any Tv. All you need do is to just connect the USB port because the movie is in the USB and you can see the movie and you can as well hear the sound with very convenient pictures.

What edge do Samsung products have over other competitors in the market?

Samsung products have after sales services and are 100 per cent guaranteed. In case you have a problem, all you need to do is to dial 0800samsung and you will be directed on what to do.

Samsung is always in the quest to do something better than what anybody else have.

In the case of LED TV, its picture quality is far superior over LCD because the power source is from the edge of the panels. So, the contrast ratio is fantastic. In the last series of LCD Tvs, you could only get contact ratios up to 50,000 to 1 but with LED today, you have 2 million to 1. That is the big jumping in picture quality.

Our target is the top 5 per cent of Nigerian population. But as time goes on, within the next six months to one year, all these prices will come down and we will be able to address more people in the market.

What is your market strength like?

Our market strength in Nigeria and world market is very outstanding. We have being controlling 22 per cent of the market in the last four years. In USA , Europe and Asia , in every four products of choice one must be Samsung. Our products have long durability quality.

We call LED next generation because this is the first time we are focusing much on eco-friendly product. It surpasses LCD because it has powerful picture quality like you never see before and its low power consumption quality is another factor that distinguishes it from other Tvs because it reduces energy consumption by 40 per cent from what LCD consumes.

The touch color is rich, the Interpol and its excellent finishing are main features, which comes between 32-35 inches size. The cystine design and slimness is obvious. Less than 3 centimeter, we have 3 thousand and 7 thousand top on the range.

Because of energy system, it is zero per cent mercury which is good for human health. In animation, the product is 2- 3 centimeter.

I understand that recently top officials from Samsung have been coming to Nigeria to look at your operations. Are you really considering establishing an assembling plant in Nigeria in the nearest future?

Of course, we are already working towards that because it is going to be beneficial to us and our dealers and customers in Nigeria . At least, it is going to make our products cheaper. In fact, we already have many factories with Sims. We already assemble Samsung products in Nigeria . At the moment, we assemble refrigerators and air conditioners here in Nigeria .. Very soon we will set up a plant where we will assemble LCD and LED Tvs.

We are doing this because of the strategic nature of the Nigerian market. And so, we are leaving no stone unturned to maxim the potentials of the huge Nigerian market.

What problems do you see in the way of establishing these plants in Nigeria?

Time is the problem because it takes a long time. We are trying to open a new factory this year. We are working to put up our headquarters by October this year. We are already discussing with our distributors based on this. It actually takes a long time to make it operational. That is the only problem we have for now.

How would the propose plant benefit Nigeria ?

There will be so many benefits to Nigeria with the establishment of the factory. IT will create a lot of employment for Nigerian people, and of course that would help the economy to grow. Also, there will be reduction in the prices of goods assembled here in Nigeria because their duties are usually less. The locally assemble products when produced will compete with those smuggled into Nigeria which may or may not be genuine. This will therefore provide Nigerians the opportunity to get genuine products.

Do you feel intimidated by other competitors here in Nigeria ?

Not at all. We have been operating in this market for the past 12 years now.

We have a dominant position already and that is a sign that we are doing well.. We don't feel intimidated in any way; rather we will continue to do more to serve our customers better.

Assess the growth of technology in Nigeria ?

The growth of technology in Nigeria is directly proportional to its assimilation of technology products that are generated from other parts of the world. As more and more companies like Samsung are able to bring their technology into Nigeria , Nigerian technology will definitely improve. Until recently, Nigeria didn't have assembling plants for air conditioners and refrigerators, today Nigeria can boast of that and is assimilating that technology. ITU to host first ever virtual event on ICTs and climate change

Geneva, 4 September 2009 What: Virtual International Symposium on ICTs and Climate Change

When: 23 September 2009

Where: Global

Why: ITU together with the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) is co-organizing the first ever Virtual International Symposium on ICTs and Climate Change. The event, also supported by Korea's Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA), will feature speakers participating virtually from locations around the world. The symposium will bring together key specialists in the field from top decision-makers to engineers, designers, government officials and regulators.

Topics to be discussed will include green ICTs to tackle climate change, clean technologies and smart applications, reducing the environmental impact of ICTs and building a green future.

The Virtual International Symposium on ICTs and Climate Change will launch a new era in conducting events, offering all the benefits of physical participation but without the environmental costs. The event's virtual nature will allow more participation from developing and least developed countries, providing a deeper knowledge of their needs and creating a sound basis for solutions that take into account all stakeholders.

Who: This event is open to anyone and can be watched without prior registration. If you wish to actively participate, comment or ask questions you must register here. Please choose 'Participants' as your function.