With 'People's Phone'

Spice aims to be 'Sabka Phone'

A cell phone plus connectivity for Rs 599/-? Incredible but true. Spice Telecom's sleek S-300 is the latest gizmo to spice up the market and is specially designed for the emerging markets. Simplicity is the key when it comes to targeting first time users, says a product release.

Company officials said the new cell phone is targeted at rural segments which comprises 67% of the people residing in Karnataka. The product is affordable, easy to use, long lasting, and language of communication built-in is Kannada, both outgoing and incoming. The entertainment value is also big - with over 50000 Kannada songs to select from, mobile radio, jokes, devotional songs @ 60 paise, in addition to 3-year warranty, and 8-days battery. But it has no LCD screen as most of the rural people do not use SMS service. Spice Telecom is launching the People's Phone in two states, Punjab and Karnataka.
In his inaugural address, Spice Telecom COO Rakesh Singh announced that the company will also introduce a mobile phone using Braille for the blind, who can communicate by pressing keys on the keyboard. He also stressed that just because the People's Phone was affordable, it did not mean that they would be compromising on connectivity or service, and that it will be on par with other services available in the market.

The People's Phone comes bundled with a Spice lifetime prepaid connection, with talk time of 3 hours, and is a first of its kind offer in GSM space. It has a sophisticated and intelligent audio interface system in Kannada.

Weighing 75 grams, the handset has a speaker phone and can save 9 speed dials for easy calling. The hot key for VAS services can be used to get useful information in Kannada on Mandi rates for vegetables, pulses, beverages, cereals, dry fruits, flowers, fruits, oilseeds, etc.  Subscribers can make outgoing calls to any local number at Re. 1/- with lifetime validity.

Mr Navin Kaul, CEO, Spice Telecom said, "We are committed to enabling universal access to mobile telephony in a simplistic & affordable manner across Karnataka. The Rs599 handset bundle initiative will truly make Spice Sabka phone".

Rakesh Singh Chief Operating Officer Spice Karnataka declared that they were the first in GSM space to make an offering at Rs 599.

Through this novel initiative Spice is set to address a significant customer base comprising aspiring mobile users, constituting about 75% of Karnataka's population.

The company gave away the new mobile phone to five winners in a lucky draw held at the press meet.
For further queries, subscribers can contact Spice Customer Care at 98440-98440 or 2098440.