NEW DELHI: An Indian mobile phone company has launched a low-cost handset that uses commonly available AAA-sized batteries aimed at the hundreds of millions who live in areas where power supplies are erratic. Priced at 1,699 rupees (35 dollars), Olive Telecommunications' "FrvrOn" -- short for "forever on" -- has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery common to mobile phones, but also a facility to include a AAA, dry-cell battery. "We have electrification all across the country but the power supply is erratic," marketing manager Ravi Perti said. "With our phone, all one needs to do is pack a few extra cells (batteries) if one is travelling in areas where one expects power supply disruptions." He said the phone would run for three hours non-stop on the lithium battery and for another hour with a conventional battery. Though predominantly for the rural market, the handset "is suitable for the urban user as well. It is aimed at the hea...
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