Canada’s Datawind launches Hyderabad plant for tablets, phones

Datawind Inc, a leader in delivering low-cost internet connectivity to emerging markets, on Friday formally launched its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Hyderabad.

Coming up at the GMR Complex of the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at an investment of Rs100 crore, the 40,000 sq ft facility will manufacture 20 lakh tablets and phones in the first year. Its full capacity will be up to five million units.

Inaugurated by Telangana's Information Technology Minister K T Rama Rao and Canada's High Commissioner Nadir Patel, the plant employs 600 people and will increase the headcount to 1,000 by March next year.

This is the Canadian company's second facility in India after Amritsar, which is the country's first and only manufacturing facility for touch panels. It manufactures more than one lakh units per month.

Suneet Singh Tuli, chief executive of Datawind, said the company was positioned as India's largest tablet manufacturer for the last many quarters.

''We are coming out with full range of products including tabs, mini laptops, smartphones. The unit has been functional for the last few months and shipped 2.5 lakh units,'' he said.

Tuli pointed out that Datawind leads the tab market with a 37-per cent share.

Smartphones is the new segment for the company and it recently launched a Rs1,500-smartphone with touch screen and free unlimited internet for one year.

''We have capacity for producing 50 lakh phones. We are focussing on low cost devices in the Rs1,500 to 5,000 range which will help bring down the cost of phones in the market,'' Tuli said.

He said the company was looking to set up a production unit in eastern India.

''We have applied for licence for telecom operations and VNO [Virtual Network Operator]. VNO will be a big focus of ours, in which we will probably invest Rs70-80 crore. As part of this we will have our own sims and will offer Rs20 unlimited browsing plan by next year. Under VNO we don't buy spectrum, don't have towers, but will be partnering with an operator and offer our own sims,'' he added.

Rama Rao said the government created a mobile manufacturing ecosystem in the state and in six to seven months three major manufacturers Micromax, Celcon and Datawind have set up their units here.

He revealed that European TV manufacturer Thompson is venturing into Telangana in tandem with a local company.

According to the minister, Telangana is offering and an attractive investment opportunity for Canadian companies.

He said more than 40 Canadian entities have their presence in Telangana. He also sought help of the high commissioner to start Air Canada flights to Hyderabad.

''We look forward to continue strengthening our partnership going forward as India strives to achieve its Make in India objectives,'' said the Canadian high commissioner.