iNabling launches iStation in Chennai

CHENNAI: The Bangalore-based iNabling Technologies has launched iStation in

Chennai, a device that enables users to send and receive text-based mail,

anywhere, anytime, at the cost of a local call.

iNabling Technologies had previously launched a similar service in Karnataka

last month and the present initiative is part of its plans to expand its service

in Tamil Nadu. This will later be matched by similar launches in Trichy, Salem

and Madurai by August 15.

The company has appointed Sri Lakshmi System Products and Uma Computer

Services as its distributors in Chennai and is also holding talks with other

major companies for the same.

The iStation is available in two models-- the iStation Premier and iStation

Classic. The iStation Premier comes with 240x128-pixel backlit LCD, a printer

and PC uplink port and the facility to send and receive email in Tamil or

Kannada and English.

The iStation Classic comes with a 240x120-pixel LCD without the backlit and

printer, PC ports. While the iStation Premier is priced at Rs 7,990, the

iStation Classic costs Rs 6,990, excluding the subscription charges, which

according to the inaugural offer, would be Rs 1,000 per year.

The iSation plugs into a standard telephone jack and comes with a 256-KB

memory with embedded modem, a 9V UM9 backup battery, in addition to the Infomine

and roaming facility. The iStation can be customized to offer additional

features like spreadsheets and word attachments.

"Our dream is to connect all Indians at an affordable cost and in the

language they are most comfortable in. iNablers are the future of text-based

communication and will divide the digital divide," said iNabling

Technologies Pvt. Ltd CEO John, Aravamuthan.

The iStation is TEC and ETDC approved and has been tested for operational

ruggedness in rural and semi urban areas as well. iNabling Technologies has set

up its POP3 server in Mumbai and plans to cover the entire country within six

months. Funded partly by ICICI Ventures and Infinity, iNabling hopes to break

even in the first quarter next year.