Datawind launches Android tablet for Rs 4,999 with free internet

Canadian mobile device company Datawind today launched UbiSlate 7C+x tablet for Rs 4,999 in India with one year unlimited free internet in partnership with Reliance Communications.

“Today we have extended unlimited free internet offer on our tablet UbiSlate 7C+x on GSM network of Reliance Communications. We are assembling it at our Amritsar plant. It will have a separate Facebook and email application for convenience of user to access them free under the plan,” Datawind President and CEO Suneet Singh Tuli told PTI.

The dual sim enabled Android tablet comes with a microUSB powered Keyboard. It is available on Naaptol’s TV, print and online shopping platforms starting today and will be available with other channels partners of Datawind in a week. The tablet supports voice calling feature and comes with dual core, dual VGA camera both at front and back and 4G internal flash storage which is expandable up to 32 GB. Customer buying this tablet will be able to access website without incurring any mobile internet charge if they access them through Datawind’s patent UbiSurfer browser installed on it. However, they will need to pay data charges if they access it from other browsers.

When asked if it violates net neutrality principles, Tuli said, “It is perfectly net neutral. We are not discriminating among websites. Customers can access any website through our patent UbiSurfer. We are working on an advertisement based revenue model as we now want to be known as company that provides free internet, not just as low cost device maker.” He said UbiSurfer has technology that compresses data consumed while internet surfing and reduces cost of data.

“It is good for web access but experience will not pleasant for video streaming,” Tuli added. The company is also ramping up its manufacturing capacity in India following increase of excise duty on mobile phones and tablets. “We have set up assembly line that have capacity of making 2 lakh units per month. We are also in talks with contract manufacturer for setting up additional facility,” Tuli said.