Contract mobile market feels the pinch with new State policy

Loss of subsidies means sellers lose interest in long-term deals

The country's enthusiasm to build its fourth-generation network is yet to translate into any sustained growth in the number of once-popular contract phones being sold to customers.

Experts from market research consultancy GFK report that sales of 4G phones have been strong since March this year, with a 21 percent rise in sales between then and August to 7.13 million, representing a quarter of all new mobiles sold.