BSNL hopes to tap into the rural markets with low-cost tablets.

The telecom service provider has teamed up with Goa-based telecom equipment maker Teracom to launch Teracom’s tablet PC Lofty Tab.

The Lofty Tab comes in three models – the entry model priced Rs 3,999 with basic features such as 4GB internal storage, 0.3 MP (mega pixel) camera and music player; the mid-priced model for Rs 6,499 with wi-fi connectivity, Microsoft Office suite and 3G data card; the premium model at Rs 10,999 comes with built-in 3G SIM slot, voice call, high resolution display and 3 MP dual camera.

Service centres

The products come with a one-year warranty. They will be available at BSNL franchise stores and ecommerce sites. To cater to after-sales services, Teracom has set up over 120 service centres across the country in phase 1; this is expected to reach 500 soon. Tamil Nadu alone has 15 service centres.

As an initial offer, the mid-priced model will be bundled along with a 3G data card, an extended keypad and a leather casing for Rs 7,640 (at a 20 per cent discount). “We hope this bundling will help us increase GSM data connections, especially penetration in small towns,” said A. Balasubramanian, Chief General Manager, BSNL Chennai, at the Tamil Nadu launch of the tablet.

Puneet Jain, President, Teracom, said the company is committed to working with BSNL to reach villages. “We are working on many low-cost quality gadgets such as smartphones and 3G data cards that are affordable to the masses.”

Teracom has a long association with BSNL having supplied optical fibre cable, broadband modems and 3G dongles.

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