You will now be able to get AVG antivirus and internet security products in locally wrapped packages in India! Yes, the AVG products, which were just available for online download for Indian customers up to now, will now be available at Milestone Interactive Group outlets in India. Well, AVG Technologies has teamed up with Milestone Interactive Group to distribute AVG antivirus, internet security products and identity protection solutions in India.

Milestone Interactive Group has announced that it has got into deal with AVG technologies, which has authorized it to distribute AVG products in India; that means Milestone Interactive Group has become authorized distributor for AVG technologies.
 
Speaking of the significance of the Indian Market, the Vice President, Business Development, AVG Technologies, Peter Baxter said, “India figures prominently in our list of growth markets. We already have an installed base of 1.4 million Indian users who use downloaded AVG products. Nearly 10-12 percent of this base consists of paid subscribers with the remaining using the free version. With local distribution, we aim to leverage our strong brand recall to be a leading player in the consumer AV market.”

Baxter added, “With Indian internet usage continuing to grow at a phenomenal rate, hitting 50 million users in 09, its inevitable the cybercriminals will, if not already, start to pay particular attention to Indian consumers. AVG’s products will allow consumers and all types of users the confidence to surf & work online with the knowledge they are protected by AVG. I am delighted to announce the partnership with Milestone. With their outstanding pedigree in the consumer software space and rapidly growing reseller programme we see them as an integral part of our growth in India.”

According to Milestone, it has joined hands with AVG to protect the personal computers in India, from viruses, worms, and web bugs, and initially it will offer selected AVG products aimed at personal computer users.   

Commenting on the deal with AVG Technologies, Jayant Sharma, Chairman and CEO of Milestone Interactive Group, said, “We have been in the interactive software business for over a decade and are market leaders in this field. Given the rapidly growing installed base of computers & Internet users in India, the time seemed just right for us to expand into the ICT security space. The fact that AVG has put their faith in us even as we step into this business speaks volumes of our market credibility.”

AVG technologies’ offerings for Indian customers include the basic AVG Anti-Virus package priced at Rs 999, AVG Identity Protection security tool priced at Rs 499, and AVG Internet Security Solution for one to three users, priced at Rs. 1999 and Rs. 2499 respectively.

AVG Technologies, formerly known as Grisoft, is a privately-held Czech company, with corporate offices in Europe and the United States. Specializing in computer security software, the AVG offers its antivirus and internet security products to about 80 million users in 167 countries.

Milestone Interactive Group currently operates 1200 retail stores across the country, including large retail stores, hypermarkets, consumer audio video stores, IT & computer stores, and traditional single door retail stores.

Jayant Sharma said, “Of these (retail stores) nearly 200 are those who are traditional IT retailers. Additionally our plan is to add 500 more IT resellers and retailers for AVG products by year-end in 60 cities. The company will follow a two-tier distribution appointing master resellers (sub-distributors) who will in turn sell to resellers. We will soon begin our channel enrollment program.”

 “Our USP is going to be reseller profitability. Margins offered on AVG is going to be far attractive than what other players offer. Also being in the retail space for so many years, we know exactly what channels and consumers want and hence we will device innovative and attractive schemes,” Sharma assured.