Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, India’s leading Telecommunications Company, today announced strategic partnerships with Dell and Olive Telecommunication, the parent company of Haier Mobile, to launch embedded 3G Netbooks with high-speed internet access for mobile internet connectivity and broadband access.
Dell’s select range of laptops and netbooks would be embedded with 3G Ericsson module with GPS, and BSNL SIM, plus a 3G pre-paid mobile broadband data package with national roaming facility from BSNL. This solution would eliminate the need to use an additional USB modem (or dongle) for the web connection.
This ‘POWER’ bundle, with embedded 3G module and SIM and one year Unlimited data access package from BSNL (subject to a “fair use cap” of 8 GB), starts from an estimated price point of Rs. 30,000 and will be offered on Dell’s Inspiron Mini 10 netbooks, with many other models waiting in the queue.
Haier’s Zipbook X107H, with Windows XP Home Operating System will leverage the capabilities of 3G technology on BSNL’s network to enable users with ‘anywhere, anytime’ broadband connectivity and help them access advanced data applications and services while on the move. The Zipbook will come with attractive payment terms and will be available at LFR stores and other retail outlets across the country. They come with an attractive launch offer of 2 months free usage and unlimited data download (capped at 8GB).
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kuldeep Goyal, CMD, BSNL said “We are pleased to collaborate with our partners and are certain that this strategic tie-up will give our discerning customers the unique advantage of high-speed Internet access service combined with the feature-rich and attractively-priced Netbooks, which will be an offer with an all-exclusive range of tariff offerings, designed to bring the best of both worlds to the market”.
Mr. Arun Khanna, Chairman, Olive Telecommunication said, “I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a first mover in this space that will heat up in the near future. The excitement around the low cost computing device, the Zipbook, is palpable. BSNL has been a pioneer since the inception of the rapid growth in the Telecom sector. I’m proud to be associated with them in this new initiative.”
“This partnership is in line with Dell’s objective to provide complete ‘Computing on the Go’ solution to its customers,” said Mahesh Bhalla, Director and General Manager of Consumer Sales, Dell India.
R. Sivakumar, Managing Director, Sales and Marketing – South Asia, Intel, said, “Intel and BSNL are determined to expand the number of people who can get access to the Internet. Many different areas of our society benefit from broadband internet access, since it gives opportunities for Indians to have 21st century learning and business tools and compete on a world wide scale. Intel is pleased to partner with Dell and Haier to make this a reality in India.”
