The phone is called Freedom 251. The Android – 3G – 4inch qHD display – 1GB RAM – 3.2MP rear camera – 0.3mp front camera – 8GB internal memory – 1.3GHZ quad core processor … prrrrettyyyyy good for a Rs. 251 smartphone!

Welcome to the 38th episode of Digital India Podcast on FIR Podcast Network. This show is ‘Weekly Updates’ brought to you by staff and students of Web Marketing Academy.

                              Cheap Mobiles & Tech Transforming India

The phone comes from the handset marker Ringing Bells and is called Freedom 251.

http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/freedom-251-buy-freedom-251-just-how-cheap-can-a-smartphone-get/

History of mobile in India :

 First cellular call was made in India on July 31st, 1995

http://trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/PressRealease/Document/PR-TSD-Nov-15.pdf

http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2013/09/03/nokia-in-india-a-brief-timeline/

 Back in 2007, Nokia launched seven mobile phones for emerging markets, including two (Nokia’s 1200 and 1208) intended for shared use by families or entire villages.

http://www.mgovworld.org/topstory/nokia-a-launch-of-mobile-phones-for-rural-india-can-boost-m-government-applications-for-grassroots/

Factors contributing to the fast growth :

 Today, in fact, more than 90 percent of Indian mobile subscribers have prepaid plans.  http://www.aspeninstitute.org/policy-work/communications-society/programs-topic/communications-policy/india/cs-joint-roundtable-co

http://trak.in/tags/business/2015/08/12/samsung-micromax-top-smartphone-vendors-india-online-sales-push-growth/

NOKIA Pushing back :

http://www.mgovworld.org/topstory/nokia-a-launch-of-mobile-phones-for-rural-india-can-boost-m-government-applications-for-grassroots/

Points to note :

2015 – In India almost 50% of all smart phones shipped during Q2, 2015 were in the below $100 segment. But there’s also the second hand refurbished market – go to OLX or Quickr,  http://www.quikr.com/0-1000/Mobile-Phones/y149?l=Price

Some interesting stories from innovative domestic phone manufacturers :

Micromax became the first Indian smartphone maker to release Windows Phone 8.1 smartphones. http://tech.firstpost.com/news-analysis/a-four-year-journey-how-micromax-became-indias-leading-mobile-company-228470.html

Many stories here: http://www.thebetterindia.com/16218/8-mobile-phone-ideas-changing-lives-rural-india-mobile4good14/