Honest 836 Report post Posted February 17, 2008 (edited) Spice Corp Launches $20 Mobile Phone Indian telecom company Spice Corp Ltd (SCL) has unveiled a no-frills mobile phone that will retail at about Rs 800 ($20) early April, the company's chairman said. "Though we have taken various measures to reduce the cost price for the end user, it will be a technologically advanced instrument," claimed SCL Chairman BK Modi. He said this product will prove that India is not only equipped to give the best of technology but even the cheapest at most competitive prices. Also, he didn't rule out the possibility of prices of such phones going down further. The new voice-only phone was exhibited at a global expo in Barcelona in Spain Monday and evoked tremendous interest among mobile service providers from around the world, Modi said. The phone does not offer a screen but will provide excellent voice clarity. An audio programme would announce the digits that are dialled to prevent errors. A Braille version will also be simultaneously introduced to benefit visually challenged users. "Spice got nearly 40 MSPs inquiring about it at the expo itself. We have tied up with one Indian MSP to provide the phone as a package deal." The service provider's name will be announced along with the phone launch in April this year. Designed in India by Spice Corp Ltd, the new phone is being manufactured in China in partnership with Spice's Chinese partner. Available in a range of attractive colours and compact and lightweight design, the phone will be compatible with all types of SIM cards currently available in the market and function on most connection types. Within a year of launch, Modi was confident of selling between five to 10 million pieces. "Initially, we are targeting the entire Middle East, SAARC and ASEAN group of countries. Then we shall explore other markets." He said that presently there is only 20 percent mobile penetration in India. "The remaining population has never set eyes on a mobile phone." Worldwide, cheap mobile phones make up for nearly 20 percent of the total market. But more than half the world's population has never used a phone, so the demand potential is immense, Modi said. The $1-billion Bombay Stock Exchange-listed SCL is an upcoming telecom company currently operating in two telecom circles – Karnataka and Punjab – and has applied for licences in other circles. Mobile without a screen seems not to be good at this price. A screenless mobile at approximately Rs.800/- is not worth at all. We can't even send and get SMS on it. Crap Classic handsets are already available cheaper then this in CDMA. In GSM other entry level handsets are their at the same price. This handset would be useful only to old people. They could use this handset just like landlines. Regards. Edited February 17, 2008 by Honest Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sadikk 301 Report post Posted February 18, 2008 I can give handsets in in 23$ CDMA/GSM, with screen and speaker. LOL @ no screen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Honest 836 Report post Posted February 18, 2008 ^^^ Yes my dear Sadik Bhai, cheaper options then this Spice mobile are already available in the market both for CDMA & GSM. Regards. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CUPIDON 0 Report post Posted May 5, 2008 (edited) Spice a BK Modi group company is going to launch GSM handsets for Rs. 800/- . The handset can only make calls and recieve calls, No Display screen and no sms The company plans to sell these through kirana stores and Kiosks on Railway Platforms Edited May 5, 2008 by Honest << Topic Merged >> Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CUPIDON 0 Report post Posted May 5, 2008 details http://www.rediff.com/money/2008/may/02spice.htm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kshah 452 Report post Posted May 5, 2008 Perhaps the right product for Indian market. Hats off to this idea. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vishalkumar 0 Report post Posted May 5, 2008 ^^^ Exactly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CUPIDON 0 Report post Posted May 5, 2008 ^^^Exactly. Bhai but why would one buy such a handset, Tata and reliance are offereing handsets with life time warranty and all features at 700-800 bucks, plus the second hand market offers great deals Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
raccoon 53 Report post Posted May 5, 2008 Life time warranty or life time validity??? And I too fail to see why anyone would want to buy such a rudimentary phone for Rs. 800, when you can get a basic phone with all basic features for around the same price... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vishalkumar 0 Report post Posted May 5, 2008 (edited) ^^^ There are several reasons for that. Firstly, GSM has a much wider reach in comparison to CDMA. Secondly, the user can switch the phone between any provider whenever he wants. Thirdly, as they are targetting rural areas, they mostly use the phone to make & receive calls. etc... Edited May 5, 2008 by vishalkumar Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vishalkumar 0 Report post Posted May 5, 2008 Life time warranty or life time validity??? And I too fail to see why anyone would want to buy such a rudimentary phone for Rs. 800, when you can get a basic phone with all basic features for around the same price... They are targetting mostly the rural customers for this and that is why they think it might be a hit with them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
@ksh@T 20 Report post Posted May 5, 2008 but when the handset is available in 500 to 600 with screen and speaker who the hell will go to this . . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Honest 836 Report post Posted May 5, 2008 ^^^ My dear friends this handset will be used by old people only, who do not need an LCD screen at all. Or you can say that this handset can also be used by Blind people. As this handset comes with a programme installed in it which announce the Digits as soon as they are pressed. Regards. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kshah 452 Report post Posted May 7, 2008 Locked handsets are supposed to be cheaper than unlocked. So I dont think they can compared Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACS 130 Report post Posted January 21, 2009 Corporates would love to give such phones to their non-trust worthy junior staff.. When there's no Sreen, no hanky panky.. no Airtel World.. no RWorld usage.. no mis-use with love match/astrology etc.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
savramesh 37 Report post Posted January 21, 2009 i am interested in getting a phone cdma+gsm with no screen if it is available.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Honest 836 Report post Posted January 21, 2009 Corporates would love to give such phones to their non-trust worthy junior staff..When there's no Sreen, no hanky panky.. no Airtel World.. no RWorld usage.. no mis-use with love match/astrology etc.. ^^^ Very good point / suggestion my dear Jayanth. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Himanshu Singh 19 Report post Posted January 22, 2009 BK Modi is going to have egg on his face soon. And then he too wont need a mobile with screen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
