LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--VEECON ROK Corporation Pvt. Ltd., a joint venture between VEECON and ROK Group of Companies, announces that they have secured a multibillion-dollar contract to install public WiFi across the largest 27 cities in India.
VEECON ROK will be investing $5 billion into India’s WiFi infrastructure to ignite and connect the country. The venture will make a positive change to the lives of 100’s of millions of people who currently have been unable to obtain access to high speed internet. The partnership taps into India’s government-owned telecommunications network, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) who recently installed over 130,000 miles of high-speed fiber optic communications infrastructure across the continent. The VEECON ROK partnership will enable wide area connectivity of more than 500 million potential WiFi users.
Founded by serial entrepreneurs and philanthropists, John Paul DeJoria and Jonathan Kendrick, ROK Group of Companies has been providing mobile services and WiFi products for 17 years. The company’s ambition is that instillation of fast and reliable WiFi across India will encourage economic expansion across key areas, helping drive e-commerce across the continent and reducing the country’s digital divide.
Mr. John Paul DeJoria, Co-founder, ROK Group of Companies said, “In line with India’s digitization drive, the public WiFi project in 27 cities across India will bring the world closer to the people. We are thankful to BSNL for partnering with us to help drive this ambitious project. We are positive about the success of the pilot project and looking forward to embarking on the next phase, granting internet access to millions.”
The American and Indian partnership will also be unveiling the first ever range of ROKiT mobile handsets that include the world’s first Naked-Eye 3D mobile phone. The brand-new collection of mobile phones will be available starting January 2019 and are set to revolutionize the Indian smartphone business, with their two Naked-Eye 3D phones and unique service package available at super competitive prices. These advanced yet extremely market competitive handsets will eventually be available through the 22,500 BSNL Carrier owned service centers, with the initial Q1 availability in the 500 largest service centers.
“The public WiFi project in 27 cities is in sync with our Smart City Initiative and will move forward with our superior technology” said Mr. Gaurav Kumar Srivastava, Co-chairman, VEECON ROK Corporation Pvt. Ltd. “We believe public and private partnerships affect serious positive change and we could not have found a better partner than BSNL to take this initiative ahead. The amalgamation of BSNL’s reach across the country and our cutting‐edge technology is certain to be game changer in the business of running a city.”
Mr. Jonathan Kendrick, Co-founder and Chairman, ROK Group of Companies and Co‐chairman, VEECON ROK Corporation Pvt. Ltd said, “We believe in compassionate capitalism and that technology should improve everyone’s quality of life. Giving back to the under privileged is fundamental to our business. We are also glad to have introduced the first Naked-Eye 3D mobile phone here in India. India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world with a huge consumer base for mobile handsets and we see a huge potential in the country for our products.”
The WiFi pilot project will include 27 cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Varanasi, Ghazipur, Panaji, Pune, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Jaipur, Patna, Cochin, Guwahati, Tirupati, Shimla, Chandigarh, Noida, Gurugram, Dehradun, Indore and Agra.
“We are very excited about launching our new innovative devices and digitally connected services in India, said wireless pioneer, Dean Becker, Vice-Chairman of ROK Group of Companies, “we believe they will create a whole new generation of connected entrepreneurs throughout India.”
The VEECON ROKiT range of mobile phones will be made available through BSN outlets across India beginning January 2019.
For Further Information contact ROKITINDIA@mcsaatchi.com
Notes to Editors:
About the WiFi Project:
In the first stage, the WiFi services will be offered free for all for 3 months. After the free period the company plans to charge Rs 260 to 360/month. While the investment & technology will be provided by VEECON ROKiT Network, along with “I am safe” APP free for all; BSNL will be responsible for billing, marketing, branding and servicing.
About VEECON ROK Corporation Pvt. Ltd:
VEECON ROK CORPORATION Pvt. Ltd. is a joint venture between VEECON Group, India and ROK Group USA. It has been formed with the aim of providing WiFi and other telecom related services to different smart cities of India and other neighboring countries. ROK Group of Companies also manufactures 3D mobile phones, which is going to be introduced for the first time in the world.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL):
BSNL is an Indian state‐owned telecommunications company headquartered in New Delhi. It is the largest provider of fixed telephone and broadband services with more than 60% market share and is the fifth largest mobile telephone provider in India.
