Intel plans wimax laptops for sub $400

NEW DELHI, INDIA: World’s largest chip maker Intel is closely working with PC manufacturers like Dell, Acer and Asus to bring down the cost of wimaxready laptops to around $300 to $400 (Rs 16,000-Rs 20,000). 

“Intel believes a wimax-ready laptop could be available in the Indian market at around $300 to $400 in a few months,” Intel India’s newly appointed managing director for wimax division C S Rao said. 

At Rs 16,000-Rs 20,000, the company expects to make deeper penetration in both urban and rural markets.   Intel believes country’s wimax market alone could touch Rs 21,000 crore in the next three years as the Indian telecom market has now become more attractive after the announcement of 3G and broadband wireless access (BWA) licence policy. “Among the two services, wimax has more potential as it would help the country bridge the digital divide. We estimate the market has the potential to reach $5 billion in the next three years,” he added. 

The country is adding more than 6-7 million wireless subscribers every month and Intel believes after the rollout of wimax services around 7-8% of the new customers would subscribe to wimax service.  “In fact, two to three million subscribers can be added in two months,” he added. 

With rising competition in the sector and gradual fall of tariff rates, the average revenue per user (ARPU) is at all time low and it is expected that the new services from 3G and wimax will help operators increase the per user revenue inflow. 

Initially, the ARPU can touch $20 per month as wimax would open up plethora of opportunities for the users, said Rao. “And it can grow further depending on content,” he added. 

Wimax roll out would not only help telecom operators to earn more but also would develop a whole new market for various equipment manufacturers like mobile internet devices (MID), wimax cards, PCM cards and wimax modems. 

“Manufacturers are ready and these products could be available in the Indian market in next two to three months,” he added. 

The chip maker is looking at the developments of the Indian broadband market and has already started working on developing an ecosystem for the same.