Freedom 251 Maker Says Deliveries Delayed, Will Now Start From July 6

The delivery of the world's cheapest smartphone at Rs 251 (less than $4) will finally begin from July 6 and not June 30 as was announced earlier, its makers said on Wednesday, adding that they are trying to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi for garnering his support under the Make in India initiative.

According to Ringing Bells' Founder and CEO Mohit Goel, it is ready with nearly 2 lakh Freedom 251 handsets.

"In the meanwhile, we have prepared a letter requesting a meeting with our Prime Minister to pitch our case as a domestic smartphone maker which wishes to contribute towards 'Make in India' initiative," Goel told IANS.

"We are planning to organise a launch event in the capital on July 7, a day after starting the delivery," Goel added.

In an earlier interview to IANS, Goel had announced June 30 the date for delivery, adding that once he is done with this first phase of delivery (of two lakh phones), he will open registration again for those who wish to buy the handset.

The company had in mid-February this year planned to deliver 2.5 lakh handsets before June 30. However, it received over seven crore registrations before its payment gateway crashed within three days.

"We learned from our mistakes and decided to go silent till we come out with the product. Now we have a 4-inch, dual-SIM phone ready for delivery. I feel vindicated," he had told IANS.

According to Goel, he is facing a loss of Rs. 140 - Rs. 150 per handset, for which parts were imported from Taiwan, but hopes to make profit on volumes.

"We will have a loss, but I am happy that the dream of connecting rural and poor Indians as part of the 'Digital India' and 'Make in India' initiatives has been fulfilled with Freedom 251," Goel said.

No device was, however, given to IANS. Only a photograph was allowed to be taken. The phone is available in two colours - black and white - with centrally aligned rear camera and branding on the back panel. It has a speaker just alongside the branding. The device displays the Indian Tricolour when you switch it on. The company has incorporated all the basic Google apps in the handset.

"Our devices are completely 'Make in India' and were manufactured at our Haridwar-based manufacturing unit. We plan to sell two lakh devices every month," he said.

The company is also planning to launch a 32-inch high-definition LED television - also called Freedom - in the first week of July.

"These will be the cheapest television sets in India and will be available for less than Rs. 10,000. Within two days, the delivery would be made and we will sell them online," Goel said, adding that the company currently has 1 lakh such pieces in stock.

Written with inputs from IANS