HCL Info to sell iPods in India

HCL Infosystems on Monday entered into a strategic, but non-exclusive agreement, with Apple Computers to distribute desktop computers and digital musical device iPod.

"HCL will be selling and distributing Apple desktop computers for the education, media and entertainment space," Ajai Chowdhury, chairman of HCL Infosystems, said.

For iPods, HCL Infosystems will provide complete sales and service support. iPods are currently available in India in the price range of Rs 4,000-23,000 through some regional outlets.

HCL Infosystems has similar agreements with Nokia for selling mobile phones and Japanese company Toshiba for notebook computers. The agreement with Nokia was exclusive, but became non-exclusive earlier this year.

George Paul, executive vice president of HCL Infosystems, said the revenue from the Apple deal should start flowing from the second quarter (April-June) itself. "We will grow the iPod market in India substantially," Paul said.

The iPods would be launched in a phased manner, and the first phase would cover cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Pune, he said.