14 DAY TRIAL // Datawind is a pretty well-known Indian tablet manufacturer that bases its business strategy on offering super cheap slates.
Now the company is looking to sweeten its deals even more, aiming to make it impossible for customers not to adopt a Datawind tablet.
In its latest move to bring in more revenue, the tablet vendor has teamed up with telecom companies in order to provide free internet services for a year to whoever purchases one of its slates.
Datawind includes the UbiSlate series in the promotion, covering the 7Cx, 7C Plus, 7CZ and 3G7 lines. Free internet will be added to the products, starting next month, reports Business Line.
Chief Executive Officer for Datawind, Suneet Singh Tuli, explained that “the devices will be bundled with a SIM and we plan to offer the free Internet access for lifetime also, but at a later stage, as we don’t want to take that risk right now. We will see how this first offer develops.”
Tablets have recently really taken off in India, mostly thanks to the budget Android slates present everywhere. So far, Indian customers are still price-conscious, preferring a cheaper slate to a premium one.
Datawind was said to be India’s top tablet maker in the Q1 of 2013, so a lot of shoppers will be thrilled when the free internet bundle becomes available.
So far, Datawind struck a deal with two telecom service providers, but the company is looking to add more partners to the program. Interestingly enough, the tablet manufacturer will cover the free internet costs and not the tablet buyer. Under such circumstances, we’re not exactly sure how the company plans to boost its revenue.
“Other tablet vendors are giving free Internet service for 3-4 months along with devices that cost around Rs. 25,000 ($400 / €294.) We are offering a Rs 4,000 ($64 / €47) device with 12 months free Internet access. “
“That makes it compelling. Calculating in real terms, our devices will be less costly than that of the Internet usage rate by the end of the year.”
Datawind is currently planning to bring its uber cheap devices to important markets such as the UK, US and Canada