The Hindu Business Line : Buy a PC on pre-paid card model

After mobile phones, now you can get a PC on a pre-paid card model. Microsoft today launched a new initiative,which will enable consumers to pay for a Windows based PC on the number of hours it is used. The global project, aimed at emerging markets, is called Pay-As-You-Go Personal Computing and is based on Microsoft FlexGo technology. While the pricing scheme is yet to be announced, Microsoft said that the entry cost of owning a PC will be reduced by as much as 50 per cent. In India, Microsoft has tied up with Lenovo, ICICI Bank, Bajaj Capital and Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd to conduct trials over the next two months.

PC ownership

"There are more than 50 million prepaid mobile phones in India, so we know this is a familiar and comfortable model that works in markets with low or unstable income levels. Bringing this flexibility to PC ownership will help new groups of customers in India thereby bridging the digital divide, a cause which Microsoft India is committed to," said Mr Ravi Venkatesan, Chairman, Microsoft India.

FlexGo

The FlexGo technology alerts users as time is consumed, showing them how to add more hours by simply typing in a number from a prepaid card. If time is not added, the PC gradually moves into a "reserve tank" or limited access state until customers purchase more time either online or at local vendors. The PC is owned outright after a set number of hours are purchased.

Microsoft is also introducing a subscription computing model that provide predictable monthly payments for a full-featured PC with broadband access and Windows software.

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