Three months after launching its Android One platform in India, Google is expanding its budget devices to three more Asian countries.
Over the coming weeks, Android One handsets will begin rolling out to Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
With a combined population of more than 200 million people, the countries mark Google's next step to reach "the next five billion people." Various manufacturers and network providers, including Banglalink, will begin selling the smartphones over the coming weeks.
Announced at June's I/O developer conference, Android One is intended to bring Google's mobile OS to emerging markets. Google provides partners with hardware reference designs and stock Android software, allowing for automatic updates. Using Google Play, users and carriers can then add locally relevant apps to the devices.
The project launched in September, when the first phones from Micromax, Karbonn, Spice, and MediaTek went on sale for 6,399 Rupees ($105).
"With more hardware and carriers launching Android One phones in more countries, we're excited to see the diverse array of devices our partners will offer in 2015 and beyond," Ceasar Sengupta, vice president of product management, wrote in a blog post.
Android One was intended to reach Indonesia and the Philippines before year's end, but Google made no mention of those regions today. More locations are expected in 2015.
Despite tech advancements from countries like Japan and South Korea, many areas in Asia miss out on the newest electronics because of affordability, limited reach, and a lack of network support.
For more, see How Android One Helps, Hurts Google's Hardware Partners.