State-run telecom firm BSNL on Tuesday partnered with Micromax to launch 4G-enabled feature phone at Rs 2,200, wherein users would get unlimited calling and data for Rs 97 a month.
The competition in this segment has increased since Reliance Jio announced the launch of JioPhone and Airtel tied up with Karbonn to bring their own version of 4G feature phones at low prices to tap the mobile users who are yet to be connected to the internet.
The BSNL-Micromax phone has been named 'Bharat 1' and the sale will start from October 20.
"With a combined vision of accelerating the growth of data adoption and providing internet access to the 500 million plus feature phone users in India, both Micromax and BSNL will work collaboratively to introduce the best consumer mobile experience," the companies said.
At present, the global mobile phone market is at 1 billion, of which about 500 million is feature phones.
"This will connect the unconnected masses in rural areas at a very affordable rate," BSNL chairman and managing director Anupam Shrivastava said. BSNL, which operates across the country except in Delhi and Mumbai, has over 98 million mobile subscribers and 16 million landline customers.
Micromax co-founder Rahul Sharma said that BSNL will provide unlimited calling and data along with free incoming and outgoing calls during roaming.
"The phone will cost Rs 2,200 and its effective price will be cheaper than that of competition in the market," Sharma said. He said that the phone has dual sim.
Shrivastava said the telecom corporation is in the process of starting 4G services from January 2018.
"Connecting the last mile - to the internet and relevant information - is an important part of the strategy for both BSNL and Micromax. We are confident that Bharat-1 will help millions of users experience the data and calling experience like never before," Shrivastava said.
The sale of the device will begin on October 20. Bharat 1 has the latest Qualcomm 205 Mobile Platform, powered by a 2000 mAh battery, 512MB RAM and 4GB ROM, a 2.4-inch QVGA screen, 2 MP rear camera and VGA selfie camera, 4G VoLTE and dual sim connectivity.
ONE MORE OPTION
- Users would get unlimited calling and data for Rs 97 a month
- The phone, which has Qualcomm 205 Mobile Platform, 2000 mAh battery, 512MB RAM, 4GB ROM, a 2.4-inch QVGA screen, 2 MP rear camera and VGA selfie camera, 4G VoLTE and dual sim, will go on sale from October 20
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