The scheme is valid for all Nokia GSM handsets purchased from 25 October 2003 onwards. HCL Safeguard will very soon be extended to the other products of HCL Infosystems, like home PCs, laptops and handheld PCs.

The unique offer of insurance will cover Nokia GSM handsets in the first year against theft and further provide an extended warranty for the second year. The HCL Safeguard insurance comes at no extra cost on purchase of a Nokia GSM handset from the HCL sales network. In addition, the insurance also covers a public liability to the extent of Rs 10,000. The scheme is valid for all Nokia GSM handsets purchased 25 October 2003 onwards.

Says J V Ramamurthy, president and CEO, HCL InfiNet: "HCL Safeguard is a unique and exclusive scheme for Nokia GSM Mobile handsets in India. This is first of its kind offer for mobile handset users where the consumer does not have to pay any insurance premium at the time of the purchase and gets a redemption voucher for purchase of a new Nokia GSM handset. It is an absolutely simple process, with minimal paperwork involved."

Under the HCL Safeguard scheme, the buyer will get an insurance certificate duly singed by the selling channel partner at the time of purchase. In case of theft, the claim of the stolen handset can be made with a copy of the FIR, the original invoice copy and the original insurance certificate. The customer will be given a voucher, which can be redeemed against purchase of another Nokia GSM mobile phone.

HCL Infinet is also a service partner for Nokia in India and has already set up more than 85 service centres across India. HCL InfiNet has three Nokia professional centres in the country: at New Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad; and three Level III care centres in the country: two in Delhi (Kalkaji and Janak Puri) and one in Chandigarh. The NPC at New Delhi has two independent service repair facilities with full repair capabilities.

"It is the distribution strength and reach of HCL InfiNet, coupled with the customer friendly product line from Nokia, that has helped make Nokia mobile phones the most preferred brand of mobile phones in India," says Ramamurthy.