Aakash tablet maker Datawind on
Tuesday launched its entry level 2G and
3G mobile handsets, priced in range of
Rs. 1,999-Rs. 5,499, offering free data
plan under a tie-up with RCom .
The Pocket Surfer 2G4 is a 3.5-inch,
dual SIM, EDGE network compatible
smartphone running Android 4.0 Jelly
Bean priced at Rs. 1,999, while Pocket
Surfer 3G4 is a 4-inch, dual-SIM, dual
camera, 3G network compatible
smartphone running Android 4.4.2
KitKat, priced at Rs. 2,999.
The 5-inch Pocket Surfer 3G5
smartphone, priced at Rs. 5,499, has
been upgraded to include a year of free
Web browsing, and runs on Android
4.4.2 KitKat.
The new range of smartphones are
powered with free unlimited Internet
browsing for a year on Reliance
Communications (RCom) network,
Datawind President and CEO Suneet
Singh Tuli told PTI.
Tuli added that Datawind's patented We
delivery platform compresses data via
back-end servers to speed up rendering
of Web content, ideal for 2G and 3G
mobile networks. The year of free,
unlimited Internet browsing via the
UbiSurfer browser does not include
audio/ video streaming or local-
downloads. The firm says users will hav
to purchase separate top-up plans for
this.
Speaking on the launch, Suneet Singh
Tuli, President & CEO, Datawind said, "W
are passionate about technology and
access that enables and empowers the
common man to achieve more in every
conceivable way. With this new range of
ultra-low cost smartphones, powered
with free Internet access by India's
leading network, we hope to ignite a
spark that will revolutionise India's
movement towards achieving its grand
vision of a Digital India. We see this as
beginning of a new phase in Internet
revolution led by mobile Internet and we
are delighted and privileged to have
Reliance Communications by our side in
this new transformational journey
towards a Digital India."
Commenting on the partnership, Gurdeep
Singh, CEO, Consumer Business, Relianc
Communications said, "We are delighted
to partner with Datawind and offer
unlimited data for 12 months on our
high-speed GSM data network, which wi
lead to a unique user experience on the
PocketSurfer Smartphones, which sport
many technological breakthroughs. A
product like this one will be best
experienced on a seamless IP-enabled
network such as RCOM's, and will make
for an unmatched data experience."
"The feature phone market is about 150
million unit a year. So, if we can convert
even 3 percent of this, which is around
45-50 lakh units, it would be okay. The
target that we have set is to sell 50 lakh
units in next 12 months and are
targeting tier II and III cities," Tulli
added.
By the end of this month, the handsets
will be available at 3,600 retail points
and by next quarter, the company will
double the number of retail outlets, he
added.
As per recent industry reports, over 1.3
crores feature phones are purchased in
India each month at price points below
Rs. 3,000.
The tablet-maker sells nearly 50,000
UbiSlate tablets in a month.
In a commitment to 'Make in India'
campaign, Tuli said: "We are pledging to
ship 90 percent of our manufacturing to
India within 90 days."
The firm is in discussions with contract
manufacturers in India. At present, the
company manufactures its devices in
China, he added.
Datawind hopes to generate around
1,000 direct and indirect jobs in next on
year in India, Tuli said.
The company has chosen tele-shopping
networks and physical retail to sell the
products, as Tuli feels such networks
cover 80 percent of India, while e-
commerce covers just around 3 percent.
"Not only are PocketSurfer smartphones
priced competitively against regular
feature phones, but a year's free bundle
web browsing delivers more value than
even the cost of the phone," Tuli said.
With this launch, Datawind is targeting
tier II and III cities of India.
The products will be available on
Naaptol's TV, print and online shopping
platforms starting Tuesday and from
March 24, they will be available at
Sangeetha Mobiles, Spice Hotspot Retail
and other key modern trade and retail
partners.
http://m.gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/news/datawind-pocketsurfer-smartphones-launched-with-1-year-free-internet-via-rcom-671784
Tuesday launched its entry level 2G and
3G mobile handsets, priced in range of
Rs. 1,999-Rs. 5,499, offering free data
plan under a tie-up with RCom .
The Pocket Surfer 2G4 is a 3.5-inch,
dual SIM, EDGE network compatible
smartphone running Android 4.0 Jelly
Bean priced at Rs. 1,999, while Pocket
Surfer 3G4 is a 4-inch, dual-SIM, dual
camera, 3G network compatible
smartphone running Android 4.4.2
KitKat, priced at Rs. 2,999.
The 5-inch Pocket Surfer 3G5
smartphone, priced at Rs. 5,499, has
been upgraded to include a year of free
Web browsing, and runs on Android
4.4.2 KitKat.
The new range of smartphones are
powered with free unlimited Internet
browsing for a year on Reliance
Communications (RCom) network,
Datawind President and CEO Suneet
Singh Tuli told PTI.
Tuli added that Datawind's patented We
delivery platform compresses data via
back-end servers to speed up rendering
of Web content, ideal for 2G and 3G
mobile networks. The year of free,
unlimited Internet browsing via the
UbiSurfer browser does not include
audio/ video streaming or local-
downloads. The firm says users will hav
to purchase separate top-up plans for
this.
Speaking on the launch, Suneet Singh
Tuli, President & CEO, Datawind said, "W
are passionate about technology and
access that enables and empowers the
common man to achieve more in every
conceivable way. With this new range of
ultra-low cost smartphones, powered
with free Internet access by India's
leading network, we hope to ignite a
spark that will revolutionise India's
movement towards achieving its grand
vision of a Digital India. We see this as
beginning of a new phase in Internet
revolution led by mobile Internet and we
are delighted and privileged to have
Reliance Communications by our side in
this new transformational journey
towards a Digital India."
Commenting on the partnership, Gurdeep
Singh, CEO, Consumer Business, Relianc
Communications said, "We are delighted
to partner with Datawind and offer
unlimited data for 12 months on our
high-speed GSM data network, which wi
lead to a unique user experience on the
PocketSurfer Smartphones, which sport
many technological breakthroughs. A
product like this one will be best
experienced on a seamless IP-enabled
network such as RCOM's, and will make
for an unmatched data experience."
"The feature phone market is about 150
million unit a year. So, if we can convert
even 3 percent of this, which is around
45-50 lakh units, it would be okay. The
target that we have set is to sell 50 lakh
units in next 12 months and are
targeting tier II and III cities," Tulli
added.
By the end of this month, the handsets
will be available at 3,600 retail points
and by next quarter, the company will
double the number of retail outlets, he
added.
As per recent industry reports, over 1.3
crores feature phones are purchased in
India each month at price points below
Rs. 3,000.
The tablet-maker sells nearly 50,000
UbiSlate tablets in a month.
In a commitment to 'Make in India'
campaign, Tuli said: "We are pledging to
ship 90 percent of our manufacturing to
India within 90 days."
The firm is in discussions with contract
manufacturers in India. At present, the
company manufactures its devices in
China, he added.
Datawind hopes to generate around
1,000 direct and indirect jobs in next on
year in India, Tuli said.
The company has chosen tele-shopping
networks and physical retail to sell the
products, as Tuli feels such networks
cover 80 percent of India, while e-
commerce covers just around 3 percent.
"Not only are PocketSurfer smartphones
priced competitively against regular
feature phones, but a year's free bundle
web browsing delivers more value than
even the cost of the phone," Tuli said.
With this launch, Datawind is targeting
tier II and III cities of India.
The products will be available on
Naaptol's TV, print and online shopping
platforms starting Tuesday and from
March 24, they will be available at
Sangeetha Mobiles, Spice Hotspot Retail
and other key modern trade and retail
partners.
http://m.gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/news/datawind-pocketsurfer-smartphones-launched-with-1-year-free-internet-via-rcom-671784
