MTNL set to bring 3G to the masses
MTNL has announced a new offer that is likely to sway many towards its new 3G services.
Yesterday they launched the H360, a new 3G phone by Micromax based on Qualcomm’s chipset, which they will bundle with their 3G Jadoo services.
The new phone bundle will cost a mere Rs. 5,499 in an exclusive deal with MTNL, impressive for a 3G phone with a 2.4-inch touchscreen, dual camera (3MP and front VGA for video calling), HSDPA support, and multimedia playback!
Not only that, the cost also includes a Rs. 100 worth of talktime, 2GB free data download and 30 minutes of video calling. A package with two phones will cost you Rs. 10,499 but with Rs. 150 talktime and 4GB cap, and calls between the two numbers will be free. It will come loaded with social networking applications, support for video telephony and mobile TV.
MTNL has also announced an audit of their network services in an effort to optimize and improve quality.
Is this MTNL’s answer to their critics?
A couple of weeks back HSBC Securities and Ascentius Consulting had commented that MTNL should focus on their wired services and steer clear of 3G. They stated that MTNL did not have the customer base which would appreciate 3G and that instead they would end up hurting their finances, However MTNL has shown that they intent to take 3G to their existing customer base with offers that they will be able to afford and appreciate.
In the Qualcomm ‘India On’ 2009 conference yesterday, a lot of focus was put on showcasing 3G as a very beneficial technology not only for Urban India, but also, and more so for Rural India. An interesting point made was that with broadband internet access pervasive in urban India, and a severe lack of the same in rural areas, where even cybercafes are rare, 3G gives the unique opportunity to bring Internet to the rural masses.
With mobile networks reaching a much broader base than current Internet services, and with the launch of cheaper means for people to access these services MTNL might have the unique opportunity to market 3G where its never gone before.