This shows the desperation on part of Redmond based company to increase its Smartphone market share in India beyond its current 10 percent figure. The latest effort from Microsoft can also help Windows based devices to eat into the market share captured by Android and iOS. When it comes to local manufacturers, the deal will help them to take on with the giants like Samsung, LG, and Sony who are fully focused on Android. It will also help them to increase their portfolio of the devices and price them attractively.     

“Free windows phone is part of strategic partnership for both Microsoft and us, it is an experiment. Windows still does not have lot of appeal in the market but now that it doesn’t have any license fee it will be easier to experiment with it,” said a senior executive with an Indian phone company to TOI.

"If Microsoft has decided to waive the licence fee for Windows Phone, it is great news for local phone makers. Local phone makers are comfortable with Android. They are still not sure of the appeal of Windows Phone. If the OS is free to use, they will feel more confident while experimenting with it in the market," said Manasi Yadav, a senior market analyst at IDC.

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