In a bid to capture the retail users across India, DataWind Inc has formed a partnership with BSNL and south India based mobile retail store UniverCell.
Under the partnership, DataWind’s tablet range – UbiSlate 7Cz and UbiSlate 3G7 will come with a 12-month free internet plan of BSNL and UniverCell will sell these tablets to retail users across India. User will get access to 250 MB data every month for a period of 1 year.
In terms of selecting BSNL, Sunnet Singh Tuli, CEO – DataWind said, “We wanted an operator who can deliver quality of service as well as has the far reach across India. Association with BSNL for bundled internet service to our customers is a major breakthrough.”
“We buy data from BSNL and compression it with our patented technology and than bundle it with our devices. Our compression technology reduces the web page data size by 30% and this allow 20% higher browsing on the same amount of data,” explained Tuli, how company’s technology works.
“DataWind’s technology and UniverCell’s retail reach will help to bring internet penetration to the next stage. We are pleased to partner DataWind who has created the category of ‘low cost tablets’ in India,” commented R K Mishra, Chief General Manager, BSNL – Karnataka Circle.
DataWind’s low cost tablet PCs are available in the price range of Rs3000 to Rs6000 in India. So far company has sold 1.2 million UbiSlate tablets in India. While, these devices have been largely available through online retailers, its for first time the Canada based firm has tied up with retail store chain UniverCell, which has some 450 stores across India.
“We have well trained staffs to help customers and explain them all features of the devices. I feel that tablets will grows much faster than smartphones in India. We will provide finance to buyers with a 12 month EMI,” said Sathish Babu, Founder- UniverCell Telecommunications.
This partnership announcement comes just after a week, DataWind raised Canadian $30 million via a public listing at the Torento Stock Exchange (TSE). With fresh funds in-hand, company is all set to give a big push to it business plans.
A majority of the funds raised will flow into India operations, according to Tuli. “We would expand our touch-screen facility at Amristar and other locations, would invest in educating consumers and would work with colleges and universities to do research, develop applications and localisation of content,” informed Tuli.