With the Telecom Department based on the recommendations of the TRAI, permitting grant of Unified Licence Virtual Network Operator (UL VNO), DataWind is now planning to launch its telecom service in the country.
According to sources, DataWind has plans to apply for the Virtual Network Operators (VNO) license later this month and is expected to launch a pan-India telecom service with a rural focus. Further, the company is said to offer unlimited internet service for just Rs. 99 per year. The company is apparently in talks with state-run BSNL to partner as the service provider.
Datawind claims to offer bandwidth cost advantage to consumers in rural areas. Based on its patents around mobile technologies, the company claims to offer a load time of just 7-8 seconds for a web page on its 2G network compared to about a minute taken otherwise. The company plans to roll out the services in time for Diwali.
Speaking about the plans, Suneet Singh Tuli, CEO, DataWind, said, “We plan to file VNO application this month (June) for pan-India services to offer mobile Internet with a targeted launch by coming Diwali. Our target is Rs 99 a year tariff for unlimited Internet browsing across any site. We intend to offer bandwidth cost advantage to consumers in rural areas.”