City-based VMukti to launch portable broadcasting device

Giving the outside broadcast (OB) vans a run for their money, Ahmedabad-based communications technology provider VMukti Solutions Pvt. Ltd. is set to launch a portable broadcasting device. Named as 'VMukti Backpack', the device will be available for just Rs 8 lakhs.

"We are set to launch the product officially in May and have priced at just Rs 8 lakhs. The portable device will be able to directly broadcast any video or audio feeds using a data card Internet connection. This can be a major substitute for OB vans," said Hardik Sanghvi, chief executive officer of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A's) Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) incubatee company.

While VMukti has roped in German engineers for designing the product, the device will be manufactured in China on contract basis. According to Sanghvi, the company is looking to sell at least 100 devices in the first month itself.

"As customer target groups, we are looking at media companies, news channels, religious organisations and governments for the device. We have also written a special algorithm which allows the device to club bandwidth of maximum 10 data cards for uplinking video feeds. The device can take any camera, HD or otherwise, inputs and can broadcast it from any remote place," Sanghvi added.

However, talking about retail plans, Sanghvi said that the company will be selling the product initially through distribution channels and partners only.