Samsung’s foray into Android operating system begins in India with a tie-up with the TATAs. Today, Samsung announced its partnership with Tata Teleservices to launch the Android handset, ‘Galaxy’ in India under this exclusive tie-up. Accordingly, Tata DoCoMo will offer its subscribers who purchase Samsung Galaxy(i7500) a monthly free download of 500 MB for six months.
Samsung Galaxy is a Google Android OS 1.5 powered smartphone that comes with 3.2 inch full touch screen with HVGA resolution and a 5 MP camera. The phone which comes with the full suite of Google mobile services like search, maps, Gmail, Youtube and Gtalk also provides the user with a comprehensive GPS receiver. Samsung has revealed the price of the phone at Rs.28,990.
While Samsung has a lot to gain from this partnership with Tata DoCoMo; in terms of additional branding, and a 500 MB freebie offer to attract buyers, there are some things Tata Teleservices must ensure in order to make the partnership fruitful from their side.
Firstly, Tata DoCoMo is only available in eight circles presently. The company should expand sufficiently enough into many more circles before the launch so that it shall be in a position to grab the maximum number premium subscribers from these newer circles as well. The other thing is the implementation of 3G in the country, which though not in the company’s hands will be the factor that will actually drive the sales of smartphones in the country.
Tata DoCoMo has been able to ‘do the new’ one more time. But only time will tell if they can maximize the advantage from this partnership.
