Qualcomm's Rs 10k 'computer' To Be In India Soon

[Arun 795]

October 27, 2009 15:53 IST

Press Trust of India

American mobile chipmaker Qualcomm Inc on Tuesday said it hopes to launch a low-cost computing device 'Kayak', which could also be used as a phone, in India in the second half of next year.

The device, to be priced at or under Rs 10,000, will be a 'personal computer alternative' and will undergo trials early next year and is basically targeted at users in rural areas where digital divide is huge, Qualcomm Inc Senior VP Kanwalinder Singh told reporters.

It can offer internet access and the user would also be able to make phone calls.

The San Diego-based wireless technology provider is in talks with major Indian telecom service providers like Bharti Airtel and Reliance Communications for the launch.

"We believe we can build a device consisting of display, keyboard and mouse for less than Rs 10,000. It will make internet access simple, affordable and run for 9-10 hours. The device would also allow users to make calls," he said.

"Early next year, we will start the trial and we hope we should be able to commercialize it in the second half. We are talking to telecom operators like Airtel, Tata Teleservices [ Get Quote ] and Reliance to bring this alternative (Kayak) to India," he said.

[::Hitesh:: 1,763]

Kayak will be a good for entry level market, looking at internet and phone inbuilt in pc and cost around 10K,

But their are PC which are around 10K, not all are best sellers.

Also main point of sale will be operating system.

They are saying backup upto 8-9 hr, so i can assume that this is is hand held device(Net book) rather than a pc.

Also they are talking to telecom providers for giving service,

this can be very complicated, telecom companies will look for income not for benefits of rural peoples.

[Harshal 11]

If they are talking to Bharti, does it mean that it is not a CDMA only device?

[::Hitesh:: 1,763]

They are going to provide 3G-enabled Internet access platform in 10K PC,

so they have their option open.