BHUBANESWAR: In what could drastically change the dynamics of personal or home computing and spearhead broadband penetration, National telecom major BSNL on Friday launched a unique product Nova netPC in the State.
Rolled out in technical partnership with Novatium Solutions, Nova netPC is a platform independent digital desktop computer which provides the user with a complete home computing experience without being burdened with maintenance of software and hardware.
Working on the thin-client concept, the PC comes as a small box without any software or hard disk. It basically functions through a centralised client- server that hosts the operating systems and applications.
The user just connects to his own secured space within the central server to access or store his files The PC comes with a keyboard, mouse and activated broadband connection and the user would have to purchase his own monitor. It has built-in office applications like Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc and for the first time enables multiple operating systems from Linux, Windows to Machintosh in one system.
As it operates through the client-server, it saves the user from the hassles of software and hardware maintenance and is virus-free. It offers media services including audio, video and conference/chat facilities.
Announcing the launch, Chief General Manager of Telecom, Orissa, AN Rai said the Nova netPC would come at a price of Rs 2,999 plus taxes with monthly subscription starting at Rs 274. It is targetted at families with computing needs, especially those with children, who have so far stayed away due to the costs and complexities involved.
The subscriber would be able to choose the services and pay for those only.
The target is to achieve 10,000 subscribers by the end of this financial year.
Novatium is also set to introduce the service for rural customers at a price below Rs 2,000 through local BSNL telephone exchanges.