Intel, Reliance partnership deal

By agencies   |   Tuesday, 13 June 2006, 19:30 IST
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BANGALORE: Reliance Communications and IT Major Intel announced an alliance to increase Internet penetration in tier II and tier-III cities of Karnataka and across India. Intel customers would now be offered Reliance wireless products for Internet connectivity with no additional costs on a separate dial-up connection, informed Inder Bajaj, Head- post-paid business, Reliance Communications. The joint promotion will initially begin in 11 cities across Karnataka and shall spread across India in a couple of months. Reliance’s CDMA 2000 1x network, wireless phones and data cards, Reliance’s Netconnect service platform offers Internet connectivity on PC’s and laptops with download speeds up to 144 kbps. Reliance has a subscriber base of 1.2 million in Karnataka, of which 350, 000 are data service user. Intel’s joint-partnership with Reliance comes in sync with the company’s World Ahead program unveiled by Intel CEO Paul Otellini during his recent visit to India. John McClure, MD, Sales and Marketing, Intel, said, “Intel hopes to provide affordability, connectivity and education through World Ahead. We hope to increase the Internet penetration in second and third tier cities, which are untouched by broadband penetration. Our collaboration with Reliance would enable this through our wide channel partner network.”