Freedom 251 mobile: Telecom Ministry has sought a clarification from Ringing Bells for marketing its ‘Freedom 251’ mobile phone without a BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) certification and has also asked the Uttar Pradesh government to check the firm’s credentials. The company said it received 3.70 crore registrations on Day 1 and 2.47 crore on Day 2. <br> <a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/photos/technology-gallery/214613/freedom-251-mobile-priced-at-dirt-cheap-rs-251-all-you-wanted-to-know-in-10-points/"><strong>Freedom 251 mobile priced at dirt cheap Rs 251: All you wanted to know in 10 points </strong></a> -
Freedom 251 mobile: While the ministry refused to say if any action will be taken against Ringing Bells in the matter, sources revealed that it did say that, “The Ministry has analysed the issue and it feels that such a device can be manufactured for about Rs 2,300-Rs 2,400,” sources said. Earlier this week, Noida-based firm Ringing Bells had launched the world’s cheapest phone — Freedom 251 — priced at Rs 251, hogging the limelight globally and sending the industry here into a tizzy as it could see its margins disappearing overnight.
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Freedom 251 mobile: As a result, Indian Cellular Association, which represents the mobile phone industry in India and has global and local members like Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, Lava and Micromax, had also written to Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad expressing its anxiety and it even expressed concerns over proximity of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) bigwigs at the launch function – senior BJP leader MM Joshi had launched the Freedom 251 smartphone in Delhi. Earlier, Rigning Bells had said Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar would launch the mobile, but that did not eventually transpire. (Source: IE)
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Freedom 251 mobile: The industry body said the bill of material value for a product like Ringing Bells Freedom 251 mobile when sourced from the cheapest supply chain would cost approximately USD 40 (Rs 2,700). And when translated into retail price after addition of applicable duties, taxes and distribution and retail margins, the cost of the product would be at least Rs 4,100, it added. ICA requested the Minister to get into the depth of the issue, saying the price could not be below Rs 3,500 even after a subsidised sale. (Source: IE)
Freedom 251 mobile: Not willing to backtrack, Ringing Bells, on its part, admitted that the manufacturing cost of the smartphone is about Rs 2,500, but said that it has a strategy in place to recover costs and more through a series of measures like economies of scale, innovative marketing, reduction in duties and creating an ecommerce marketplace. (Source: IE) -
Freedom 251 mobile: As if this controversy (jaw-dropping price) was not big enough, Ringing Bells, a company that was set up five months ago by Amity University graduate Mohit Kumar Goel, is also in the midst of controversy with analysts alleging that it has merely rebranded a device by its rival, Adcom. Analysts allege that the design of Ringing Bells Freedom 251 handset resembles that of Adcom Ikon 4, which is already available in the Indian market at Rs 3,999. (Source: IE)
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Freedom 251 mobile: Interestingly, most built-in app icons on the Freedom 251 seem to be a direct copy of icons on Apple’s iPhone, they added. Despite the controversies, the device has continued to grab attention from consumers. Following a heavy demand, Ringing Bells suspended bookings for 24 hours on day 1 and also on day 2 and finally suspended bookings after saying it has received a total of 5 crore registrations. (Source: IE)
