Aakash Tablet manufacturer DataWind leads tablet sales so far, beats bigwigs Samsung, Lenovo, Apple, Microsoft

DataWind, the defending champion in delivering internet access to emerging markets as of the last quarter of 2015, emerged as the leading seller of tablets this year as well. The company sold 34.2 percent of all tablets in India during the first quarter of 2016.According to a recent CMR report, Samsung, which sold 20.9 percent of all tablets, holds the second position.

Along with CyberMedia Research, the International Data Corporation’s recent study of the Indian tablet market also confirmed DataWind’s leadership position, as it commands 74.4 percent market share in the ‘under Rs 5,000’ sub-segment of the tablet market, which amounts to 46 percent of the total market. Samsung and Lenovo settled for second and third place, respectively.

Suneet Singh Tuli, President and CEO of DataWind, said in a release, “We delivered a record quantity of tablets in the quarter. Our low-cost devices that come bundled with one year of free-web access remain one of the only ways for many in India to access the internet. The digital divide can be addressed through technology intervention at an affordable price point. We are focused on driving the cost downward to a level where access to technology becomes ‘universally affordable’ and democratisation of technology finds its true meaning.”

The pioneer of low cost tablets in India and the manufacturer broke the affordability barrier with their Aakash Tablet, and now wishes to empower the next three billion internet users. Apart from their offering of a year’s worth of free web access, the company even provides the most affordable plans available due to the company’s unique, patented technology that reduces up to 97 percent the amount of data needed for web browsing.

“The internet impacts nearly every aspect of modern society and serves as a powerful economic stimulator. Yet, only a small percentage of individuals in developing countries have internet access,” said Suneet.

DataWind was recognised by the MIT Technology Review in its 2014 list of the World’s 50 Smartest Companies, as the Company is acknowledged for its ability to break the affordability barrier with tablet computers for the population at the base of the pyramid, while delivering internet access on existing networks.