Launched on 18th February, Freedom 251 by Ringing Bells is considered to be the cheapest ever smartphone of not only India but the whole world and mere its news took the Internet and social media to storm. Earlier it was speculated that this smartphone is a part of Make In India campaign; however, recently a clarification has come from the govt. according to which Make in India has got nothing to do with Freedom 251.
To quote what industrial policy and promotion’s secretary of department Amitabh Kant about it, “This is not a government project. Make in India team has nothing to do with this.” Govt. clarified this since it’s also closely watching the firm as well as its activities. What’s more, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Communications & IT minister, warns the firm of suitable action against it on the condition that it doesn’t deliver smartphones to the ones who ordered and paid for it online.
Ever since the company began online booking of Freedom 251, 30,000 paid bookings have been made and delivery is expected to start by the month of April. Nevertheless, its impossibly cheap price still makes people question about the model and subsidy, if any involved, from the side of govt.
A panel is formed by the communications ministry whose job will be inspecting and examining the firm after Indian Cellular Association and Kirit Somiya made complaints, saying the price of this smartphone must be as a minimum Rs 3,500 including every subsidy, whereas the govt is of the opinion that it would cost Rs 2,300. But again the claim of Ringing Bells in this connection is quite surprising as well as doubtful; according to them, the firm will earn the profit of Rs. 31 on each phone by selling it at Rs. 251.
It will be interesting to see whether the company abides by its statement and actually delivers the so-called smartphone at the said price or not! And if it does, what will be the features of the smartphone, how efficient it will be, effect and revolution created by it on the whole smartphone industry will be few questions worth discussing! But what if it doesn’t? Will the company pay the money back to users who have paid for it in advance and what action will be taken by the govt. against the firm? Well, only time will tell!
What do you think? Can you make a guess? Share your views in the comments section below.
