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Nethotzone To Offer Free Internet; Sign Of A Bubble?

By Nikhil Pahwa - Tue 04 Dec 2007 02:07 AM PST

Ahmedabad based NETHOTZONE will be setting up kiosks with free Internet in 155 cities and towns in India. According to the Hindu, they will invest Rs. 165 crore over the next 5 years, and is expecting a revenue of Rs. 255 crore. The company has partnered with US based Ahem! Management Solutions. Big plans and “exciting” announcements indeed, but lets see how much of this is actually implemented. The last time I heard of free Internet was around the last bubble...to begin with, NETHOTZONE is setting up two kiosks in Ahmedabad in the next two weeks, and then in Vadodara, Rajkot and Surat. But how will they make money, with free Internet? The lifeblood of all media—Advertising! That’s the kiosks will be in malls, colleges and other public places, and will offer users discount coupons. With the quality of connectivity we have in this country, hope (for their sake) that their broadband works.

Posted in: Broadband



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8 Responses:
  • From Kaiz Tue 04 Dec 2007 05:44 AM

    Anybody has any idea who this group is

  • From Gabs Tue 04 Dec 2007 06:09 AM

    There you go the it is a bubble for sure… If lenovo pulls it off then why would u need a kiosk.

    NEW DELHI: Chinese computer giant Lenovo said it is planning to launch its $200 (about Rs 8,000) personal computer in India soon.

    “We will launch the product in China first and after getting the feedback we will roll out the device in the Indian market,” Lenovo Group USA President and Chief Executive Officer William J Amelio said on the sidelines of India Economic Summit.

    “The device would be Internet enabled,” he said refusing to provide details of the time line of the launch.

    The company is also mulling over exporting notebook from its Baddi plant in Himachal Pradesh.

    Amelio also asked the government to provide a uniform tax regime so that it creates a favourable environment for companies like Lenovo to do business in India.

  • From Narain Tue 04 Dec 2007 06:14 AM

    Reminds me of the days of CalTiger, a would be ISP be in the days of dot com era, trying to provide free Internet access, while asking users to watch ads.

    Most of the people missing the point, that they believe, because, Google runs on advertising, everything else could. The point to be noted is, an user, voluntarily takes his action of searching inside google to get the advertising, so its not the advertising company which initiates action, but the user initiates the action. All other models are trying to imitate google on this, but the brutal truth is an average mall user care a s**t about kiosks, honestly.

  • From Hirani Wed 05 Dec 2007 01:21 AM

    Are these guys too burning the free flowing VC money smile

  • From Vikas Sharma Wed 05 Dec 2007 03:52 AM

    I don’t think we should put off these guys as a failure model. At least not until, one knows their revenue model and results of their trial run. It;s not necessary to come out with a novel idea every time to make it successful. The best example we have is of Google, which came up with a search portal, many of which already existed and we all know about its success. So if these guys are able to pull it off well then what do we have to crib about or complain?!

    Best of Luck NETHOTZONE !

  • From Chandrakant Sun 16 Dec 2007 04:13 AM

    Well the speed was pretty good as compared to the way it was posted here, Nikhil you should see first before commenting, or shall use a better connection smile.

    Well I am in Ahmedabad and this was a wonderful experience to start with. Above all they already have advertisements & media partners, proving their ability to market the product. 

    I look forward to see more such kiosks in future and congrats guys for the greatjob,
    You people will Rock (Vikas Sharma may be I am commenting on the Google of India)

  • From Sameer Shelat Wed 19 Dec 2007 05:24 AM

    Hi,
    This is my first blog with the help of Nethotzone at Himalaya mall Ahmedabad.
    This is a good experience for me as at the age of 52 I have posted my first blog.
    I wish to come to this place frequently as in office we do not get such time or have certain restriction.
    Speed here is very good and the helpers appointed by nethotzone are good.
    Thanks
    Sameer

  • From Naveen Patel Tue 25 Dec 2007 05:35 AM

    Hey Guys,

    This is a superb service launched by Nethotzone.. I work in the FMCG industry - women products.. I am considering heavy spends through Nethotzone as the kind of crowd they cater to is amazing.. Young, Capacity to spend individuals is what we would target at and that is what exactly the profile of Nethotzone customers @ malls would be.. But there is only one hurdle, they are operating kiosks only in Ahmedabad.. Wish they expand to other cities sooner..

    All the best all you Nethotzone employees.. May your breakthrough idea break all advertising clutters..

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