Global chip maker Intel today said it has partnered with computer maker Asus and

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telecom services provider Reliance Communications (RCom) to offer netbooks in the country at Rs 9,999.

Intel said the move is aimed at helping people, who do not own a PC yet, to gain access to computing and the Internet.

Intel has collaborated with Asus to produce entry-level netbooks designed for the first time buyers, students and people on the go.

Both RCom and Intel aim to increase device footprint among internet subscribers through joint retail promotions and selling Intel processor-based devices through RCom stores.

"Our endeavour is to bring whole new levels of affordability to the netbook category without compromising on performance, usability or aesthetics," Intel South Asia Director (New Platforms Business Group) Prashanth Adiraju told reporters here.

The collaboration offers the opportunity to deliver computing and connectivity proposition to first-time buyers in India, especially in high potential Tier III and IV towns, he added.

"This proposition will appeal to the 90 million households that can now afford an entry level PC with less than one month of income," he said.

Asus has launched its Eee PC X101, which will come pre-loaded with 'MeeGo' open source operating system along with applications for email, social networking, entertainment and education.

"Reliance is delighted to support Intel's cloud driven Meego OS and offer a complete package of affordable computing and wireless broadband access to bridge the digital divide in semi-urban and rural India," RCom Senior Vice President (Data and Devices) Kaushik Pillalamarri said. P