HYDERABAD: The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) in association with Novatium Solutions Private Limited today launched Nova netPC, world’s first maintenance-free computing service. Instead of buying software and hardware at various places, the broadband users can buy a sleek black box provided by Novatium. The users have to buy a monitor, the Novatium set-up box will provide all the software needed for browsers. The cost of the box is Rs 2,999 and the users had to pay monthly charges of Rs 170. Launching the Nova netPC in the State market today, BSNL Chief General Manager TN Sudhindra
Kumar said that the set up box provided by Novatium was a client server model. The tie-up with Novatium would help the BSNL to penetrate broadband in rural areas, he said. The Nova netPC could be used for both internet access and computing applications. It supports Linux, Windows and Mac Operating systems. Vinod Kumar of Novatium Solutions Pvt Ltd said that the company would automatically upgrade the software in the set up box. The net users need not upgrade their software, he said. Nova netPC was an affordable and simple desktop and it had the ability to replace all digital equipment used at home, he added. “We are looking at attaining a subscriber base of two lakhs by the end 2009-10,’’ he added. Any problems like virus and others would be rectified automatically. Any quarries of users would be answered through the dedicated lines, Vinod said. Sudhindra Kumar said that the much-awaited 3G services of BSNL would be available by August in 29 cities including Hyderabad in the State. Currently equipment was being installed and the work was in progress, he said. He said that BSNL had launched Vennela plus a new pre-paid package with three year validity with 60 paise call charge for minute for all mobiles. The BSNL mobile customers can recharge their phones through BSNL portal by simply sitting at their homes, he said. Kumar said that blackberry phones were also available in the State.