The tendering process for the latest version of Aakash, the Indian government's cheap (and inexpensive) tablet project has begun. As compared to the proposed specifications released last year, the finalized specifications of Aakash IV indicate that the government wants the tablet to also support calling, and use mobile networks for connectivity: the tablet needs to support SIM cards, and allow talk time of 5 hours minimum (with LCD in standby mode, Audio speaker at a volume of 60dB and WiFi off), apart from also supporting 2G, GPRS, EDGE connectivity. What's strange is that 3G support via SIM is not included as a spec for Aakash, although it has included data functionality with an external dongle for 3G networks. Vendors interested can purchase and submit the tender document till 28th January 2014, 2:30 pm, following which the bids will be opened on the same day, at 3:00 pm. The 1 year contract period begins from the 1st of March 2014, and ends on 28th February 2015. Some notes from the tender document (download): - Eligibility: Only vendors authorized by C-DAC, the R&D wing of the Department of Electronics & IT (DEITY) are allowed to submit bids, so bidders have to get themselves empanelled with CDAC. Apart from this, they also have to be registered with the Indian government's Directorate General of Supplies & Disposals. Bids are restricted to manufacturers who are "PMA compliant as per extant rules/notifications and their authorised agents." - Service & Maintenance: When selected, the the vendor shall provide repair,service…
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