Bharti Airtel Broadband & Telephone Services (B&TS), India’s largest private broadband and telephone service provider, and Google Inc., the world’s most popular search engine, announced plans to work together in bringing important web-based services to Airtel’s community of broadband internet customers.
As part of the agreement, Airtel will offer its broadband customers a world-class portal which includes
* Google Search for web-based queries
* Google Gmail with 2 GB storage, spam filter, & options of web access and POP access
* Google Talk instant messaging/ chatting service for sending instant messages to friends and family–anytime, anywhere in the world
* Google Docs and Spreadsheets so users can share and collaborate in real-time
* Suite of advanced utility and communication applications – NetXpert to manage and trouble-shoot internet connection; Desktop & Internet Security Services (consisting of Anti-virus, Anti-spyware, Firewall & Parental Control); Web SMS
* On-demand gaming service and music download service
Besides these offerings, customers will get the option to personalize their Internet start page with content of individual preference – news, blog postings, weather and other interactive content and services through thousands of “gadgets” as well as content/ information from any site that gives XML feeds.
Airtel Broadband customers will be able to access all these services with a single sign-on completely free of cost. The portal will make it easy for customers to access their email, search the web, share ideas, connect with friends and publish content. More offerings like e-commerce applications will be added to the portal over a period time.
“In India, it is rich and differentiated services and content riding on an innovative internet experience that will drive the adoption of broadband. Airtel is delighted to partner with Google, a company that has led the creation of innovative internet experiences, to bring its innovative products to our broadband consumers†said Mr. Atul Bindal, President, Airtel Broadband & Telephone Services. “By offering an enhanced broadband experience to our customers that is powered by Google, Airtel strengthens its commitment to innovation and collaboration. With this partnership, we are moving a step ahead on our three screen philosophy where we target meeting the infotainment needs of our consumer on the three screens of his TV, PC and Mobile,†he added.
“The partnership with Google to provide a world-class suite of services on broadband is yet another innovative IT partnership,” said Dr. Jai Menon, Director, IT and Innovation, Bharti Airtel Limited. “This is focused on offering the best in technology, an important element of our One Airtel promise of delivering an enhanced experience for our subscribers. This partnership will bring a combination of scale and innovative capabilities in a strategic direction of providing exciting internet and content services across three services – mobile, PC and TV – that builds upon our SDP investments.”
Shailesh Rao, Managing Director, Google India said, “Google is committed to enriching the online experience of users in India. We are delighted to work with Airtel to promote the use of Google services amongst its broadband users. Today’s alliance will provide an ideal platform for Airtel users to enjoy the best possible online experience with customized access to Google’s evolving suite of innovative productsâ€