Devices & Platforms

Spice Corporation launches sub-US$20 phone

Spice Corporation, an Indian telecoms company, launched several products at the Mobile World Congress 2008. In particular, it claims to be marketing what it calls "The Peoples' Phone - probably the world's cheapest phone at under US$20 to the consumer"...

Spice Corporation, an Indian telecoms company, launched several products at the Mobile World Congress 2008. In particular, it claims to be marketing what it calls "The Peoples' Phone - probably the world's cheapest phone (including a Braille version) at under US$20 to the consumer."

The low-cost phone sector is highly competitive, not least as one of our other current stories (see Mobile ULC2 Alliance claims world's lowest-cost smart entry phone) boasts a price-tag of US$25. For this reason, we publish reports by the companies involved so that Developing Telecoms readers may make an informed decision.

That India claims to be the fastest-growing mobile telephony market - both in terms of services as well as handset manufacturing - is not surprising. India has, for example, adopted some of the latest and most advanced mobile telephony technology available anywhere in the world, putting it ahead of even many of the "developed countries."

More specifically, The Peoples' Phone will be available to the consumer for under US$20, making it accessible to a vast number of people who currently cannot afford the expense of a mobile handset. In addition, the technology will make the phone usable by a broader audience. 

Initially, The Peoples' Phone will be launched into India and the Middle East - with further plans in place to introduce the handset to wider regions. The handset package incorporates voice response technology, what are described as stylish looks, universal charger, and sing tones.

Dr B K Modi, Chairman of Spice Corporation, has stated: "The interest in The Peoples' Phone has been incredible. Spice has always worked towards inspiring the Indian masses to connect, and with this phone we are giving people at all income levels the opportunity to own a mobile phone. Internationally, India has become renowned for launching affordable technology and The Peoples' Phone follows this tradition.  We are confident that The Peoples' Phone is going to a major global success."
Using the same design basis as The People's Phone, Spice Corporation is also introducing its innovative new Braille Phone at the Mobile World Congress. Heralded as the most user-friendly braille phone on the market, Spice has incorporated the following functionality into the handset:

  • one-touch "help" key;
  • voice response technology;
  • no screen;
  • Braille language keypad;
  • universal charger;
  • sing tones;
  • number call-back facility - an automated voice announcement of the number dialed to reassure the user that they have dialed the correct number; and
  • incoming call announcement - the phone number of the incoming call is announced to the user so that the caller can be easily identified before answering the call.

As if this was not enough, at Barcelona Spice also announced The Movie Phone - what it claims to be the world's first phone to play movies on a disc. Taking the name MITR (‘friend' in Hindi) this is a unique user-friendly Single Mobile Interface (handset and service operator agnostic) that will deliver a host of must-have web based applications. It is launched in partnership with VmediaTM Research, Longcheer, Cinram, PacketVideo, and Panasonic Communications, and has been developed in response to increasing consumer demand for mobile and converged entertainment. The Movie Phone will be launched into India and South-East Asia in June 2008, with further plans underway for a global roll-out. Initially, 40 big titles will be available, with big plans in place for further titles. Spice has already partnered with various big entertainment houses like Eros, Shemaroo and T-series who are excited to develop content in v-media disc format for it to be available to mobile phone users across the globe.

The Movie Phone combines high-end mobile phone functionality with top-of-the-range entertainment features,  allowing the user to play movies on small discs, without compromising on digital quality.  The handset comes with a user-friendly interface and features: 2.8" TFT screen with 262K colour display, wireless music, TV out connection, and
full movie viewing (up to 3.5 hours).

In addition, also included are a standard 3.5 mm stereo headset port and an audio-out port. The audio-out port  functions as a TV-out connection transforming the Spice Movie Phone into a home entertainment player with a single cable connection to any TV.

* Spice has a 30-year track-record in automation, technology, IT and telecoms, primarily focused on communication and entertainment. It is one of the top six GSM operators in India, is valued at over US$2 billion, and has 10,000 employees and a customer base in the region of over three million across Punjab and Karnataka.

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