India boasts one of the highest numbers of mobile users in the world. Now, handset vendor Ringing Bells is releasing the country's most affordable smartphone. The Freedom 251 will set you back just ₹251 – which is less than $7 – ensuring that almost everyone can get their hands on one.

If every mobile phone owner in India saved £1 on their bill, the total savings would add up to around £1 billion each month, meaning that finding cheap deals is serious business. Luckily for thrifty consumers in the country, BillBachao is helping them unearth the best offers.

The Indian smartphone market grew nearly 190% in the first quarter of 2014. But this boom isn't being driven by the big players – it's home-grown brands like Micromax, Karbonn and Lava. Cost is a factor, but are there more meaningful reasons behind people’s smartphone purchases?

Counterfeit goods, from handbags to headphones, are popular among aspirational consumers who can’t afford the real thing. But widespread fakes are having a negative impact on brands looking to sell in India. How do Indians perceive counterfeit goods, and why is the domestic market so huge?