Aircel Ties Up With British Handset Maker

[savramesh 37]

Source

To introduce mobile phones that integrate key features of social networking sites

Aircel on Tuesday tied up with British phone manufacturer INQ Mobile to introduce first-of-its-kind ‘dynamic social' handsets that help users stay connected on popular social networking sites. The mobile operator will also be participating in 3G and WiMAX spectrum auctions.

3G-ready

The two dynamic social handsets, INQ CHAT 3G and INQ MINI 3G, which will be available in 55 cities and sold from Aircel retail outlets, have been priced at Rs.7,599 and Rs.5,399, respectively.

“These multimedia phones are 3G-ready that will deliver superb value-added service (VAS) experience,” Aircel COO Gurdeep Singh told journalists here.

“We at Aircel have consciously focussed on VAS which is the future of telephony to be able to provide our consumers a rich and valuable experience and introduce to them a world of possibilities on their mobile. We are completely in sync with INQ's philosophy and devices which are built with the Internet at the core for a new generation with a different attitude to communication. That means a never before, rich and authentic Facebook, Twitter and email experience along with Aircel innovations,” he added.

Advantage

According to INQ Mobile Chief Executive and Founder Frank Meehan, “these attractively priced phones will soon become popular with Indian youths who want to remain constantly in touch. It will give them true Internet experience while on the go. The advantage with these handsets is that they integrate key features of social networking sites into the phone's address book, removing the need to separately log on to the service.”

Future plans

On Aircel's future plans, Mr. Singh said it would participate in the 3G and WiMAX spectrum bids. “We will begin our services in five more States — Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan — within the next couple of months, thereby covering the entire country. So far we have invested $5 billion while a similar amount will be invested in the next two years to expand reach and built infrastructure,” he added. With presence in 18 circles, Aircel today has over 3.5-crore subscribers.

[commonman 228]

so they would be network locked? what is the use of 3G handset with 2G network of Aircel?

[KanagaDeepan 1,084]

INQ is really handset made in Britain or yet another Chinese rebranded phone with some special s/w ????

[savramesh 37]

INQ = IN Q uestion....

Edited March 17, 2010 by savramesh

[ashoksoft 83]

INQ is made by The Hutchison Whampoa group (I work with their UK operations (3 http://www.three.co.uk )) and INQ is a handset that was designed in Hongkong - but styled and manufactured keeping the international customer expectations in view. Really awesome quality and make. the facebook integration is just awesome

Happy in a way that we're getting to see these being launched in india too

[HetalDP 947]

Very Very Happy to see INQ in India

INQ = Chinease (What a Joke)

No Offense, but its a Well Trusted Innovation made in Social Networking Entry Level Phone

[ashoksoft 83]

and I've seen the phone sell (and I've used it about 7 -8 months back! and trust me .. its Stable and awesome at the least!)

[santhoshavanoor 7]

why should we purchase operator oriented mobile phones which is locked to use only with the same operator?

[ashoksoft 83]

unlocking takes 10 mins

[HetalDP 947]

Very Prestigious Comparison with Blackberry INQ is making a way

http://www.intomobile.com/2010/03/26/qwerty-keyboard-devices-compared-video.html