Ringing Bells to offer Rs 251 smartphones from July 8

Around 30,000 customers went ahead with the booking despite a technical glitch and 7 crore people signed up for the phone.

Ringing Bells, the company that created a stir a few months ago by claiming that it will come up with the cheapest smartphone, on Thursday said it will start phase-wise distribution of Freedom251 mobile smartphone from July 8.

"We will start delivery of 5,000 Freedom 251 phones in the first phase in online and offline mode from tomorrow," Ringing Bells Director Mohit Goel said while unveiling other products that included LED TV priced Rs 9,990 per unit.

He claimed that the company is ready to ship 2 lakh units of the smartphone for Rs 251 each, but "only if it gets government support".

Goel further said some 30,000 customers went ahead with the booking despite a glitch and 7 crore people signed up.

But the company withdrew the product and refunded the money to customers after government agencies mounted a closer scrutiny. Later, the firm said it will deliver the phone through cash-on-delivery to those who had placed the order.

As for the cost of the phone, Goel claimed to have tied up with mobile applications, including with Hike Messenger, a Bharti Softbank venture, for keeping the price so low.

The company also unveiled four new feature phones in the range of Rs 699-999 and two smartphones between Rs 3,999 and Rs 4,499.