NASSCOM AND CANADA BASED DATAWIND TIE UP FOR DEVELOPING WIRELESS WEB ACCESS DEVICES BELOW RS 2K FOR LAST MILE CONNECTIVITY

NASSCOM AND CANADA BASED DATAWIND TIE UP FOR DEVELOPING WIRELESS WEB ACCESS DEVICES BELOW RS 2K FOR LAST MILE CONNECTIVITY

New Delhi, November 25, 2006 NASSCOM Foundation and Datawind Corporation, a Canada based leading developer of wireless web access devices and services today announced signing of an agreement for developing low cost wireless computing and internet connectivity for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based empowerment of rural India

As per the agreement Datawind will develop and provide low cost wireless web access devices to NASSCOM Foundation for its various ICT projects in various states in the country. The aim of the NASSCOM projects include improving the reach, enhancing base, minimize processing costs and increase transparency electronic access of the state and district administration services to the rural areas.

Mr Suneet Singh Tuli, Chief Executive officer (CEO), Datawind speaking on the occasion said “Datawind , which had introduced its award-winning, ‘PocketSurfer’ a revolutionary wireless web access device, that provides the world’s fastest and most affordable access to mobile internet for the first time in India is working on a device ‘Surfer box’ in Association with NASSCOm foundation, which will cost below Rs two thousand Interface box between a cell-phone and a TV set, web-enables for a very-very low cost. (Can also interface with a regular computer monitor).”

Mr Tuli said.” This is part of an effort of Datawind to provide internet based technology tools to the poorest of poor at a real affordable cost. The trials for the interface box device are on in various countries and in India it will be available by March 2007” .

Datawind’s earlier products in pipeline include wireless web access laptop priced at Rs 16 K (Rs 16,000) . Its earlier product ‘PocketSurfer’ provides desktop quality web experience to consumers in the palm of their hand without connecting to a cellular phone or plugging into a landline modem.

“Users now have the power to access the web anywhere and anytime, using the technology they desire based on cost and device needs and the PocketSurfer does all of this while offering a desktop-quality web experience in a device small enough for a breast pocket or purse.” Mr Tuli added

Unlike mobile devices such as PDAs and cell phones, the PocketSurfer displays fully functional Web pages complete with images, scripts, colors, and plug-ins.