Mumbai, June 7: The Rs 1,100-crore consumer electronics major BaronElectronics Ltd is all set to join the Internet bandwagon. As a prelude, thecompany will launch its set-top box models in the Indian market in Augustthis year. The product will be launched under the Baron name say companysources. The company is currently in talks with a few Chinese manufacturersto source the product, they add."The company has been looking at making a foray into the Internet market forquite some time now. The set-top box will be the first step in thatdirection," said a company official on conditions of anonymity. On beingcontacted, Baron International's CEO, Kabir Mulchandani, however, refused tocomment.
Baron International will launch its set-top boxes in conjunction with ISPservice provider Satyam Infoway. The exact details of the tie-up betweenBaron and Satyam are currently being worked out, say market sources.
The company is reportedly planning to price its set-top boxes considerablycheaper than the existing brands in the market - Jadoonet.com Ltd's`Jadoonet Classic', and Videocon International's `Vnet'. As a seedingexercise Baron is also expected to offer the product free along withSatyam's Internet subscription, inform sources. While `Jadoonet Classic' ispriced at Rs 5,400, Videocon's `Vnet' is available at Rs 6,990. Both playershave been concentrating on the Mumbai market for the set-top boxes so far.
Even as Jadoonet.com Ltd, a joint venture between Infoquest e-commerce andSalora International, claims to have sold only 1,000 units in the city sofar, the company expects to cross the 50,000 mark nationally by October thisyear.
"We have consumer bookings for 33,000 set top boxes from across the countrycurrently," says Jadoonet.com director, Rajendra Jadhav.
Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.