Reliance Communications has launched the country’s first CDMA network technology driven tablet computers. This comes after seven months of launching its tablets in 3G networks.
Priced at Rs 12,999, the tablet works on Reliance High Speed Data CDMA network in over 1,000 towns, said Mr Rakesh Singh, Hub Head, Wireless Business, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Reliance Communication. “We are the first telecom operator in India to offer tablet on both the 3G and CDMA networks. This will strengthen our leadership position in tablet,” he told newspersons without any company specific numbers.
In mobile service, two main competing network technologies that telecom companies use are Global System for Mobile Communications and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA).
The 7-inch Reliance CDMA Tab is a fully loaded Android tablet. It is also loaded with 512 MB RAM and a micro SD external storage and support up to 32 GB of content storage. It comes with a 2.0 MP rear camera and a front camera catering to both businessmen and the youth.
Mr Rajaram said that the tablet is pre-loaded with 15 most popular applications to provide information services, communication services, entertainment and social networking.
As an introductory offer, the tablet is available with post paid plans offering discounts of up to 40 per cent on the regular rates. All the plans will come with default voice tariff plan of 50p per minute for all intra and inter cities and 50p for local and national SMS.
While Reliance has coverage of 300 cities in the 3G network, it has coverage of over 1,000 towns in the CDMA networks, which will provide broadband access of Internet with a speed of over 3 MBPS.
The tablet penetration in India is likely to reach 8.3 lakh units by 2015 from the present 1.6 lakh. However, to reach that figure, pricing will be an important factor. With a price of Rs 12,999, the Reliance tablet offers an ‘attractive proposition’ for consumers, he said.
There are over 30 tablet brands available in India with price ranging between Rs 24,000 and Rs 46,000. There is a demand for sub Rs 20,000, he said.