As we reported earlier Reliance Communications is going to reshape its CDMA business, it is now confirmed that Rcom is going to introduce CDMA smartphones from Lenovo to redefine CDMA device ecosystem in India.
Reliance will launch several Reliance-Lenovo cobranded smartphones and tablets, with latest Android OS and minimum dual core 1GHz processors to run all latest apps and strong battery life. These devices will support Reliance's 'dual core' (CDMA and GSM) networks and will switch calls between two networks automatically based on signal strengths and quality of RF signals. Reliance will also launch 'All Share' data plans - customers can pool their data into one account and use multiple devices across smart-phones and tablets.
Reliance aims to bring next wave of smartphones and tablets across the country, and for that wide distribution chain is to be made. These devices will be available across 2500 Reliance Stores and 1,000 Lenovo outlets.
Mr. Gurdeep Singh, President & CEO – Wireless Business, Reliance Communications Limited said, “We are happy to announce our partnership with Lenovo to offer the most innovative dual technology smart-phones in the country. In line with our endeavour to develop the CDMA device ecosystem, the co-branded smart-phones are set to offer a superlative customer experience in terms of device, speed and coverage on our high speed data network offering the widest footprint across the country. We are confident that the unmet demand of an innovative CDMA smart-phone with exciting features at an attractive price point bundled with our most innovative “All Share” plans will fulfil the demand of every customer on our superior network.”
Our take: Atleast 2-3 years back Rcom proposed such handsets with one SIM/RUIM card for GSM and CDMA, and it is coming now. Anyway better late than never. Rcom has wide CDMA coverage across the country and 3G/HSPA coverage in 13 circles. So with these dual network supported devices you can roam across the country. It's not sure that are these dual SIM devices or single SIM devices and when they are coming to. Rcom just announced the deal with Lenovo, and it depends on how early Lenovo can deliver such devices.
A report by EconomicsTimes says Rcom is going to launch 4-5 smartphones with dual SIM capabilities, with price below Rs 8,000. I seriously doubt that these devices will not have latest Andorid Jelly Bean, rather to be loaded with a bit older Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and with 512 MB RAM - which means you may not get tempted if you are already using imported CDMA smartphones on Reliance's network.
