By Telecom Lead Team: Mobile services provider BSNL has
introduced three tablets with the cheapest model costing Rs 3,250.
These new tablets from BSNL will compete with Aakash
tablets which are available at Rs 2,250 for students.
The three tablets launched by the BSNL are priced at Rs
3,250, Rs 10,999 and Rs 13,500. Two of them come with 7-inch resistive screen
with Android 2.3 operating system, while the third comes with an 8-inch
touchscreen.
These tablets are manufactured by Pantel. The three
tablets will be sold with discounted data plans from BSNL. BSNL is the leading
fixed broadband player in India with more than 50 percent market share.
According to Pantel, the T-PAD IS701R has 1GHz processor
and 256M RAM and is Wi-Fi enabled. The built-in 2GB memory can be expanded by
up to 32GB.
The second model T-Pad WS704C has 512MB DDRIII RAM and
can be connected to TV through HDMI.
The costliest model, T-PAD WS802C is powered by a 1.2GHz
processor and 512MB DDRIII RAM and also has a built-in Global Position System
or GPS.
Recently, D Purendeswari, Union Minister of State for
Human Resources Development, said that the upgraded version of Aakash tablet
would be launched in April or May without hike in price.
There have been news items stating that Datawind, the
manufacturer of Aakash tablet, will not be associated with the product any
more, quoting the Minister of Human Resources Kapil Sibal. The news items had
suggested that Datawind would not be allowed to participate in the process of
the forthcoming tender of the Ministry of HRD for Aakash tablet.
Recently, Datawind said that they have not been informed
officially or unofficially by the Ministry of HRD restricting them to
participate in the next tender.
The statement quoting the HRD Minister appears to be
false and is a deliberate attempt by some negative elements to stall the
ambitious project of Kapil Sibal to eradicate digital divide in education
in India,” Datawind said.
