Vodafone

Vodafone Group plc (LSE: VOD, NASDAQ: VOD) is a global telecommunications company
headquartered in Newbury, Berkshire, United Kingdom.[2] It is the world's largest mobile
telecommunications company measured by revenues and the world's second-largest measured by
subscribers (behind China Mobile), with around 341 million proportionate subscribers as of
November 2010. It operates networks in over 30 countries and has partner networks in over 40
additional countries.[6] It owns 45% of Verizon Wireless, the largest mobile telecommunications
company in the United States measured by subscribers.
The name Vodafone comes from voice data fone, chosen by the company to "reflect the
provision of voice and data services over mobile phones".[9]
Its primary listing is on the London Stock Exchange and it is a constituent of the FTSE 100
Index. It had a market capitalisation of approximately £92 billion as of November 2010, making
it the third largest company on the London Stock Exchange.[10] It has a secondary listing on
NASDAQ.

On 17 December 2001, Vodafone introduced the concept of "Partner Networks", by signing TDC
Mobil of Denmark. The new concept involved the introduction of Vodafone international
services to the local market, without the need of investment by Vodafone. The concept would be
used to extend the Vodafone brand and services into markets where it does not have stakes in
local operators. Vodafone services would be marketed under the dual-brand scheme, where the
Vodafone brand is added at the end of the local brand. (i.e., TDC Mobil-Vodafone etc.)

On 28 July 2000, the Company reverted to its former name, Vodafone Group
plc. In April 2001, the first 3G voice call was made on Vodafone United
Kingdom's 3G network

Europe
Networks in Europe
Majority-owned Minority-owned No Ownership
Albania France Austria Belgium
Czech Republic Poland Bulgaria Channel Islands

Germany Croatia Cyprus

Greece Denmark Estonia

Hungary Finland Faroe Islands

Ireland Iceland Latvia

Italy Lithuania Luxembourg

Malta Rep. of Macedonia Norway

Netherlands Russia Serbia

Northern Cyprus Slovenia Sweden

Portugal Switzerland Ukraine

Romania
Spain
Turkey
UK
In February 2002, Finland was added into the mobile community, as Radiolinja is signed as a
Partner Network. Radiolinja later changed its named to Elisa. Later that year, the Company
rebranded Japan's J-sky mobile internet service as Vodafone live!, and on 3 December 2002, the
Vodafone brand was introduced in the Estonian market with signing of a Partner Network
Agreement with Radiolinja (Eesti). Radiolinja (Eesti) later changed its name to Elisa.
On 7 January 2003, the Company signed a group-wide Partner agreement with mobilkom
Austria. As a result, Austria, Croatia, and Slovenia were added to the community. In April 2003,
Og Vodafone was introduced in the Icelandic market, and in May 2003, Omnitel (Omnitel
Pronto-Italia) was rebranded Vodafone Italy. On 21 July 2003, Lithuania was added to the
community, with the signing of a Partner Network agreement with Bitė.

In February 2004, Vodafone signed a Partner Network Agreement with Luxembourg's LuxGSM,
and a Partner Network Agreement with Cyta of Cyprus. Cyta agreed to rename its mobile phone
operations to Cytamobile-Vodafone. In April 2004, the Company purchased Singlepoint airtime
provider from John Caudwell (Caudwell Group), and approx 1.5 million customers onto its base
for £405million, adding sites in Stoke on Trent (England), to existing sites in Newbury (HQ),
Birmingham, Warrington and Banbury. In November 2004, Vodafone introduced 3G services
into Europe.
In June 2005, the Company increased its participation in Romania's Connex to 99%, and also
bought the Czech mobile operator Oskar. On 1 July 2005, Oskar of the Czech Republic was
rebranded as Oskar-Vodafone. Later that year, on 17 October 2005, Vodafone Portugal launched
a revised logo, using new text designed by Dalton Maag, and a 3D version of the Speechmark
logo, but still retaining a red background and white writing (or vice versa). Also, various
operating companies started to drop the use of the SIM card pattern in the company logo. (The
rebranding of Oskar-Vodafone and Connex-Vodafone also does not use the SIM card pattern.) A
custom typeface by Dalton Maag (based on their font family InterFace) formed part of the new
identity.
On 28 October 2005, Connex in Romania was rebranded as Connex-Vodafone, and on 31
October 2005, the Company reached an agreement to sell Vodafone Sweden to Telenor for
approximately €1 billion. After the sale, Vodafone Sweden became a Partner Network. In
December 2005, Vodafone won an auction to buy Turkey's second-largest mobile phone
company, Telsim, for US$4.5 billion.[26] In December 2005, Vodafone Spain became the
second member of the Group to adopt the revised logo: it was phased in over the following six
months in other countries.
In 2006, the Company rebranded its Stoke-on-Trent site as Stoke Premier Centre, a centre of
expertise for the company dealing with Customer Care for its higher value customers, technical
support, sales and credit control. All cancellations and upgrades started to be dealt with by this
call centre. On 5 January 2006, Vodafone announced the completion of the sale of Vodafone
Sweden to Telenor. On February 2006, the Company closed its Birmingham Call Centre. On 1
February 2006, Oskar Vodafone became Vodafone Czech Republic, adopting the revised logo,
and on 22 February 2006, the Company announced that it was extending its footprint to Bulgaria
with the signing of Partner Network Agreement with Mobiltel, which is part of mobilkom
Austria group.

Bharti Airtel

Subscriber Base
Bharti Airtel has about 207.8 million subscribers worldwide - 152.5 million in India, 50.3 million
are in Africa, 3.2 million in Bangladesh and 1.8 million in Sri Lanka as of the end of 2010. The
numbers include mobile services subscribers in 19 countries and Indian Telemedia services and
Digital services subscribers. [17]

Acquisitions and Mergers

MTN
In May 2008, it emerged that Bharti Airtel was exploring the possibility of buying the MTN
Group, a South Africa-based telecommunications company with coverage in 21 countries in
Africa and the Middle East. The Financial Times reported that Bharti was considering offering
US$45 billion for a 100% stake in MTN, which would be the largest overseas acquisition ever by
an Indian firm. However, both sides emphasize the tentative nature of the talks, while The
Economist magazine noted, "If anything, Bharti would be marrying up," as MTN has more
subscribers, higher revenues and broader geographic coverage.[18] However, the talks fell apart
as MTN group tried to reverse the negotiations by making Bharti almost a subsidiary of the new
company.
In May 2009, Bharti Airtel again confirmed that it is in Talks with MTN and companies have
now agreed discuss the potential transaction exclusively by July 31, 2009.[20] Bharti Airtel said
in a statement "Bharti Airtel Ltd is pleased to announce that it has renewed its effort for a
significant partnership with MTN Group".[21]
Talks eventually ended without agreement, due to the South African government opposition..

Rebranding
On 18 November 2010, Airtel rebranded itself in India in the first phase of a global rebranding
strategy. The company unveiled a new logo with 'airtel' written in lower case. Designed by
London-based brand agency, Brand Union, the new logo is the letter 'a' in lowercase, with 'airtel'
written in lowercase under the logo.[23]
On November 23, 2010, Airtel's Africa operations were rebranded to 'airtel'. Sri Lanka followed
on November 28, 2010 and on December 20, 2010, Warid Telecom rebranded to 'airtel' in
Bangladesh.

Sponsorship
On May 9, 2009 Airtel signed a major deal with Manchester United Football Club. As a result of
the deal, Airtel gets the rights to broadcast the matches played by the team to its customers.
Bharti Airtel signed a five-year deal with ESPN Star Sports to become the title sponsor of the
Champions League Twenty20 cricket tournament. The tournament itself is named "Airtel
Champions League Twenty20."[24]

Signature tune
The signature tune of Airtel is composed by Indian musician A. R. Rahman. The tune became
hugely popular and is the world's most downloaded mobile music with over 150 million
downloads.[25] A new version of the song was released on 18 November 2010, as part of the
rebranding of the company. This version too was composed by Rahman himself[26]

Timeline

1995

•Bharti Cellular launched cellular services as "AirTel" in Delhi.

1996
•STET International Netherlands NV, or STET, a company promoted by Telecom Italia, Italy
acquired a 20% equity interest in Bharti Tele-Ventures
 •Bharti Telenet launched cellular services in Himachal Pradesh
1997
•British Telecom acquired a 21.05% equity interest in Bharti Cellular

•Bharti Telenet obtained a license for providing fixed-line services in Madhya Pradesh cirlce
(and later Chattisgarh).

•Bharti Telecom and British Telecom formed a 51% : 49% joint venture, Bharti BT, for
providing VSAT services
1998

•Bharti Telecom and British Telecom formed a 51% : 49% joint venture, "Bharti BT
Internet" for providing Internet services
•First Indian private fixed-line services launched in Indore in the Madhya Pradesh circle on
June 4, 1998 by Bharti Telenet thereby ending fixed-line services monopoly of
Department of Telecom (now BSNL).
1999

•Warburg Pincus (through its investment company Brentwood Investment Holdings Limited)
acquired a 19.05% equity interest in Bharti Tele-Ventures

•Bharti Tele-Ventures (by acquiring a 63.45% equity interest in SC Cellular Holdings)

acquired an effective 32.36% equity interest in Bharti Mobile (formerly JT Mobiles), the
cellular services provider in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh circles

•New York Life Insurance Fund, or NYLIF, acquired a 3% equity interest in Bharti Cellular
2000

•Bharti Tele-Ventures acquired an effective equity interest of 40.5% in Bharti Mobinet

(formerly Skycell Communications), the cellular services provider in Chennai

•Bharti Tele-Ventures acquired a 30.2% equity interest of Telecom Italia in Bharti Telenet
and 18.8% from Bharti Telecom thereby making Bharti Telenet a 100% subsidiary of
Bharti Tele-Ventures
•SingTel (through its investment company Pastel Limited) acquired STET's 15.3% equity
interest in Bharti Tele-Ventures

•Bharti Tele-Ventures acquired an additional effective 41.64% equity interest in Bharti

Mobile (by acquiring the remaining 36.55% equity interest in SC Cellular) resulting in
Bharti Tele-Ventures holding an effective 74% equity interest in Bharti Mobile.
2001

•Bharti Tele-Ventures acquired NYLIF's 3% equity interest in Bharti Cellular

 •Bharti Telesonic entered into a joint venture, Bharti Aquanet, with SingTel for establishing
a submarine cable landing station at Chennai

•Bharti Tele-Ventures issued additional equity for approximately US$ 481.30 million to
SingTel, Warburg Pincus, AIF group, IFC, NYLIF, and Seejay Cellular and Bharti
Telecom

•Bharti Cellular acquired a 100% equity interest in Bharti Mobitel (formerly Spice Cell ), the
cellular services provider in Kolkata

•Bharti Tele-Ventures acquired 85% and 15% in Bharti Telespatial from Bharti Telecom and
Intel, respectively

•Bharti Tele-Ventures acquired a 44% equity interest in Bharti Cellular from British
Telecom, thereby making Bharti Cellular its 100% subsidiary

•Bharti Tele-Ventures acquired an additional 49% equity interest in Bharti Mobinet from
Millicom International and BellSouth International, thereby owning 89.5% equity interest
in Bharti Mobinet, which was further increased to 95.3% following an issuance of
additional equity shares by way of rights issue

•Punjab license restored to Bharti Mobile by the Department of Telecom (DoT) and
migration to NTP - 1999 accepted

•Bharti Cellular entered into license agreements to provide cellular services in eight new
circles following the fourth operator cellular license bidding process

•Bharti Telenet entered into license agreements to provide fixed-line services in the Haryana,
Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka circles

•Bharti Telesonic entered into a license agreement with the DoT to provide national long
distance services across India

•Bharti Aquanet, Bharti Telesonic and Bharti Cellular entered into license agreements with
the DoT to provide ISP services in India

•Bharti Telesonic launched national long distance services under the brand name of IndiaOne

•Bharti Telenet launched fixed line services in Haryana under the brand name of "TouchTel".
2002
•Enters into a 5-year agreement with Escotel (now called Idea Cellular) and ETL of the
Escorts group to contract leased line connectivity for its cellular operations

•Mr. Ravi Akhoury ceases to be Director of Bharti Tele

•DoT grants ILD Telephony License to Bharti Telesonic, subsidiary of the company

•Signs MoU with Telia AB to buy out their 26% stake in Bharti Mobile
 •Ties up with Secondary School Certification (SSC) Board, Hyderabad, where Bharti will
announce SSC results to its customers on their mobile phones

•ICICI Bank ties up with Bharti for pre-paid mobile cards via ATMs

•Bharti forays into Mumbai with offers

•Alpine International Ltd. and ELM International Ltd. acquire shares of Bharti Tele-Ventures
2003

•Airtel breaks interconnectivity with Tata Teleservices in Andhra Pradesh

•Company accorded its approval for amalgamation of its subsidiary companies viz: Bharti
Telenet Ltd, Bharti Telesonic Ltd, Bharti Broadband Networks Ltd and Bharti Comtel
Ltd through scheme of Amalgamation. The merged entity would be renamed as Bharti
Infotel Ltd

•Airtel launches Local direct dialling facility in Chennai circle

•Bharti Cellular unveils "CareTouch" service

•Cellular brand "Airtel" unveils free multimedia messaging services (MMS) for its
customers. The company has also rolled out pan-India GPRS for its corporate subscribers

•Launches its `IndiaOne MeetXpress' audio-conferencing service

•Punjab, Haryana get free incoming calls from Airtel

•AirTel provides SMS facilities to hearing impaired in Chennai

•Goa, Maharashtra gets 'voice portal' services by Bharti Cellular

•Launches free additional connection to its new subscribers in New Delhi

•Mr Sin Hang Boon and Mr Wong Hung Khim have resigned from the Board of Directors of
Bharti Tele Ventures Ltd with effect from February 27, 2003.
•Airtel launches its GPRS network in Chennai

•Airtel subscribers cross 3 million mark

•AirTel unveils RAD system

•Mr P M Sinha resigns from the Board of Directors of the Company with effect from March
31, 2003.

•Bharti TeleVentures announces the completion of merger with Bharti Mobitel

•Bharti Mobitel Ltd. merged with Bharti Cellular Ltd.

•"Airtel" and "Touchtel" jointly offer free Touchtel land line for post-paid Airtel connection

•Airtel rolls out voice mail service for pre-paid customers

•AirTel unveils new scheme for pre-paid customers giving away free talk time worth Rs 10
crore

•Airtel surpasses 4 lakh subscriber base in Karnataka

•Bharti announces new tariff plan AirTel 012

•Offers 0-1-2, a new cellular package for the customers, which means zero charges on
incoming calls, Re 1 on mobile-to-mobile outgoing calls, Rs 2 on mobile-to-mobile STD
calls

•Rolls out Airtel messenger service

•AirTel offers bundled handset, connection package for Rs 5715

•Airtel slashes SMS rates to 60 paise; excludes Delhi and Mumbai

•Bharti cellular, wholly owned subsidiary of Bharti Tele-Ventures, increases its stake to
100% in Bharti Mobile

•Signs distribution pact with Hathway Cable. With this alliance, Bharti is said to be the first
telecom firm to step into television distribution services

•Six cell operators move over from Bharti to VSNL

•Airtel augments cellular coverage in Tamil Nadu by including Arcot & Walajapet in its
network

•Airtel ties up with Coke in Chennai to sell its "Magic" prepaid cards

•AirTel embarks on network expansion in Hyderabad

•Airtel unveils IndiaOne Long Distance Calling Card

•AirTel introduces unified tariff package in Tamil Nadu and Chennai

•Airtel becomes front runner in Karnataka's mobile services market

•Bharti Tele launches 'Always on' service to its subscribers

•State Bank of India and AirTel announce EMI offer at Rs 299

•Bharti and MTV join hands to launch new SIM card

•AirTel unveils new post-paid scheme at zero rental

•AirTel launches `Happy Plan' in AP

 •Airtel emerges as the highest selling pre-paid card

•Airtel join hands with Alcatel & Videocon to launch new scheme

•AirTel service provider touches 5 lakh customers in Punjab

•Airtel offers 5 new services for its customers in Mumbai

•Bharti launches first dual band network in Delhi

•Gets 14th place among top 25 Cos in India

•Bharti Mobile crosses 4 lakh mobile subscribers in AP

•Airtel holds top position in terms of dealer penetration

•Prof. V S Raju has been inducted on the Board of Directors of the Company.

•Touchtel launches SMS service in fixed line phones in Karnal and Panipat in Haryana.

•Airtel unveils special offers in Kerala

•AirTel launches InnoWest for the western region

•Bharti Tele-Ventures enters into an agreement with Telesystem (Mauritius) Pvt. Ltd

•Airtel slashes out going SMS price to 30ps

•On December 16, 2003, Airtel announced the launch of expense tracker service, which
provides customers the option of tracking their day-to-day expenses on a daily or
monthly basis. This service will allow a user to track expenses, while on the move by
sending an SMS.

•AirTel introduces MTV Club Card in Chennai

2004

•Bharti unveils new card for Mecca piligrims

•AirTel enrolls 50,000 customers in its mobile service in 60 days

•Launches WAP enabled portal Service in Kerala

•Bharti Cellular's AirTel has extended its mobile connectivity to Karaikkal, Nagur,
Mannargudi and Kovilpalayam in Tamil Nadu.

•Airtel customer base touches new high of 5 lakh mark in Andhra Pradesh

•On Pongal, Airtel is launching its first ever MMS downloads in Tamil.

•AirTel tie up with MAA TV

•Airtel launches Rs 50 pre-paids recharge

•AirTel launched a family pack for its post-paid customers in Chennai on January 29.

•Bharti Tele-Ventures enters into a three year service agreement with Ericsson

•Bharti Tele-Ventures (BTVL) has signed and received unified access service licence to
provide GSM services in Uttar Pradesh (East), West Bengal & Andaman Nicobar, Orissa,
Bihar and Jammu & Kashmir. The licence has been granted to Bharti Cellular Ltd (BCL),
the cellular arm and subsidiary of BTVL.

•Airtel and Mobilink, the only GSM cellular service provider in Pakistan, sign the first-ever
bilateral roaming agreement between India and Pakistan

•Acquires switching systems from Tekelec

•Bharti Tele-Ventures Ltd signed an information technology outsourcing deal with infotech
major IBM, estimated to be in the range of 0-750 million for a ten-year period.

•Jayant Khosla, new chief executive officer, Mumbai

•Signs MoU to join the South East Asia - Middle East - Western Europe 4 (SEA-ME-WE-4)
consortium along with 15 other global telecom operators.

•Bharti Tele-Ventures has struck a deal with Shyam Telecom to buy out the latter's 67.5 per
cent stake in cellular services company Hexacom for Rs 430 crore.

•Samsung India Electronics Limited has tied up with cellular operator Bharti for bundling its
mobile handsets with a connection.

•The Bharti group finalised a Rs 500-crore deal to share its national long-distance (STD)
network with VSNL in a first-of-its-kind accord between two top telecom service
providers in a bid to optimise capacities in the NLD segment.
•Internet gateway and services provider, Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (VSNL) has signed a
Right to Use (RoU) agreement to deploy mobile telephony major, Bharti Tele-Ventures'
existing National Long Distance (NLD) backbone.

•Airtel offers talktime transfer service

•Airtel has announced money-back guarantee offer in case of call drop or poor network
experience for its subscribers

•Bharti launches 2-in-1 card

•Airtel launched two-way international roaming and GPRS for prepaid customers in the
Maharshtra and Goa circles

•Bharti Tele-Ventures has bagged the Asian MobileNews operator of the year award in India
and the subcontinent
 •Bharti Tele-Ventures Ltd has awarded a million equipment contract to Swedish telecoms
company Ericsson

•Bharti Televentures announced formation of a new strategic business unit to offer various
telecom and IT services through a single contact

•Bharti Televentures unveiled a mobile portal featuring sports, entertainment and news
among others

•Airtel ties up with Micro Tech to set up 'Mcops' vehicle security system

•Bharti Tele-Venture on July 19 launched "Caller Tunes" service, a personalized mobile

music service where the caller hears songs and other sound clips instead of the traditional
switchboard ring-ring tone

•Airtel, a private telecom services provider, has commissioned its first 24x7 customer service
centre in Andhra Pradesh

•Airtel unveils Rs 199 pre paid card

•AirTel join hands with Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) to offer
executive MBA programme

•AirTel introduces new scheme for hearing impaired in Maharashtra & Goa

•AirTel inks pact with JP Mobile

•Rolls out Enhanced Data Rate for Global Evolution (EDGE) network in Pune on September
9, 2004, Ties up with Nokia for sale of Nokia 6230, an EDGE-enabled handset.

•AirTel unveils first virtual calling cards in India

•BTVL rolls out EDGE services in Bangalore

•Airtel rolls out Full Talktime Advantage card

•Airtel rolls out wi-fi services in Mumbai

•BTVL launches new 'Airtel Broadband Friendly Offer'

•Airtel launches GPRS services for pre-paid customers

•Airtel partners with ITPO to set up Wi-Fi network in Delhi

•Airtel launches EDGE services and a new pre-paid plan for Chennai

•Airtel introduces LAS in Karnataka

2005

•Airtel launches video services for its GPRS customers on February 22, 2005
 •Airtel unveils new TV ad featuring Sachin Tendulkar and Shah Rukh Khan

•Bharti Tele-Ventures launches telecom network in Andaman & Nicobar

•BTVL unveil fixed line, broadband services

•Bharti inks 5-m deal with Nokia for rural network expansion

•Bharti Tele Ventures Ltd has announced that Airtel, ICICI Bank & VISA have joined hands
to launch mCheq - a revolutionary new service - a credit card on the mobile phone
•Airtel introduces BlackBerry Connect in India

•Bharti Tele Ventures announces agreement with Vodafone

•Airtel unveils 'free flight' offer

•Bharti Tele-Ventures launches under sea cable system

2006

•Airtel unveils Re 1 STD plans

•Airtel launches NetXpert.

•Airtel launches Post2Pre recharging service on April 04,2006.

•Airtel sets up customer centre

•Airtel announced the launch of `Save My Phone Contact' service for its pre-paid and post-
paid customers in Delhi

•Bharti Tele Ventures bags 'Wireless Service Provider of the Year' & 'Competitive Service
Provider of the Year' awards

•Cellebrum join hands with Airtel

•Airtel Mega unveiled in Coimbatore

•Bharti Airtel Ltd and Microsoft announced a strategic partnership that will offer a range of
software and services for small and medium businesses (SMBs) in India.

•Bharti Airtel Ltd on Nov 8, announced a first-of-its-kind alliance with the Adani Group for
establishing an end-to-end modern telecommunication network infrastructure for the
latter's multi-sector special economic zone (SEZ), located near Mundra Port in Kutch
district of Gujarat.
2007

•Bharti Airtel has come out with a slew of initiatives including buying out SingTel's 50 per
cent stake in joint venture under sea cable company Network i2i
 •Bharti Airtel on Feb 11, has been awarded QCI-DL Shah National Award on Economics of
Quality.

•Bharti Airtel Ltd has announces changes in the operational leadership structure and roles in
the Company effective April 01, 2007.

•Bharti Airtel Ltd on April 01, 2007, has announces the reduction in ISD Tariffs for all its
mobile customers in India.
8Airtel signs agreement with HTC for touch screen mobile.
2008

•Nokia Siemens Networks on Jan 3 declared that it has been awarded a multi million euro
contract from Bharti Airtel Ltd for deployment of a single interactive voice response
(IVR) platform across 23 circles. The three-year turnkey contract comprises designing,
planning, systems integration and optimisation services to raise overall customer
experience. The new IVR solution will enable Airtel to deliver services such as voice
SMS, televoting, call management services, caller ring back tone and voice portal on a
faster time-to-market basis and, therefore, reduce OPEX costs.

•Bharti Airtel Ltd on February 13, 2008 has announced that it has achieved the 60 million
mobile, fixed line and broadband customers.

•Bharti Airtel tied up with US-based Apple Inc to bring the popular GSM-based iPhone in
the country.

•Bharti Airtel Ltd has forged a technology alliance with Infosys Technologies Ltd to launch
its Direct-to-Home (DTH) television services. Infosys, through its digital convergence
platform, will offer a suite of products including devices, application servers and
interactive applications for Airtel's DTH services.
2009
•Bharti Airtel signed a five-year managed services deal with Alcatel-Lucent for its fixed-line
and broadband operations.

•Bharti Airtel launched the 'Airtel Advantage' initiative. The initiative is aimed at offering
the added advantage to Airtel customers to be in touch with each other at an affordable
rate of 50 paise per minute, be it a national long distance call (STD) or a local call.

•In order to create products and services for the small, medium and large enterprises, Bharti
Airtel and Cisco announced a strategic business alliance. The alliance would combine the
strengths of Airtel's network service and Cisco' Internet Protocol (IP) technologies.

•Airtel and mChek announce milestone of 1 Million users and introduce a broad range of
new mCommerce services.
2010
 •On 14, February 2010, Zain Ghana issued a resolution to accept a $10.7 billion buyout offer
from Bharti Airtel Limited (Bharti) to enter into exclusive discussions until 25 March
2010, regarding the sale of its African unit, Zain Africa BV.

•Bharti Airtel submitted its bid for 3G spectrum auction which starts from April 9, 2010.

•Bharti Airtel has partnered with US-based software maker VMware Inc. It has done this in
order to focus on the cloud-based managed computer services market.
•On May 18, 2010, Airtel won 3G spectrum in 13 circles: Delhi, Mumbai, Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh (West), Rajasthan, West Bengal, Himachal
Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, North East, Jammu & Kashmir for Rs. 12,295 crores.[28]

•Bharti Airtel wins broadband spectrum in four circles: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab and
Kolkata for Rs. 3314.36 crores.[29]

•On 8, June 2010, Bharti Airtel completed a deal to Zain Telecom's businesses in 15 African
countries for $10.7 billion.

•On August 11, 2010, Bharti Airtel announced that it would acquire 100% stake in Telecom
Seychelles for US$62 million taking its global presence to 19 countries.
•On 20 September 2010, Bharti Airtel said that it has given contracts to Ericsson India,
Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) and Huawei Technologies to set up infrastructure for
providing 3G services in the country.

•On 18 November, 2010, Bharti Airtel announced a re-branding campaign wherein, they
would be referred as airtel, with a new logo.[30]
•On 20 December 2010, Airtel launched its new identity for Bangladesh subscribers. [31]

•On 23 December 2010, Airtel opened its first underground terrestrial fibre optic cable built
in alliance with China Telecom.[32]
2011
•On 23 February 2011, Bharti Airtel launched the Europe-India gateway cable system, along
with 16 other global telecom firms. A 15,000 kilometre long cable, between Mumbai and
London.[33]

•On 27 February 2011, Bharti Airtel launched its speech recognition based service, 'One
Number, One Voice'
Airtel (India)
airtel, is a telecommunications company based in India. It is owned by Bharti Airtel Limited. It
operates a GSM network, providing 2G and 3G (in some cities) services. It is the largest cellular
service provider in India, with about 159 million subscribers as of February 2011.[2] Airtel is the
3rd largest in-country mobile operator by subscriber base, behind China Mobile and China
Unicom. Airtel is the fifth largest telecom operator in the world with over 207.8 million
subscribers across 19 countries at the end of 2010.
Airtel also offers fixed line services and broadband services. It offers its telecom services under
the Airtel brand and is headed by Sunil Bharti Mittal. Bharti Airtel is the first Indian telecom
service provider to achieve this Cisco Gold Certification. To earn Gold Certification, Bharti
Airtel had to meet rigorous standards for networking competency, service, support and customer
satisfaction set forth by Cisco.[3] The company also provides land-line telephone services and
broadband Internet access (DSL) in over 96 cities in India. It also acts as a carrier for national
and international long distance communication services. The company has a submarine cable
landing station at Chennai, which connects the submarine cable connecting Chennai and
Singapore.
It is known for being the first mobile phone company in the world to outsource everything except
marketing and sales and finance. Its network (base stations, microwave links, etc.) are
maintained by Ericsson, Nokia Siemens Network and Huawei.,[4] business support by IBM and
transmission towers by Bharti Infratel Ltd (subsidiary of Bharti Airtel Limited).[5] Ericsson
agreed for the first time, to be paid by the minute for installation and maintenance of their
equipment rather than being paid up front. This enabled the company to provide pan-India phone
call rates of Rs. 1/minute (U$0.02/minute). Call rates have come down much further.[6] During
the last financial year [2009-10], Bharti has roped in a strategic partner Alcatel-Lucent to
manage the network infrastructure for the Telemedia Business.
The company is structured into four strategic business units - Mobile, Telemedia, Enterprise and
Digital TV. The Telemedia business provides broadband, IPTV and telephone services in 89
Indian cities. The Digital TV business provides Direct-to-Home TV services across India. The
Enterprise business provides end-to-end telecom solutions to corporate customers and national
and international long distance services to telcos.

History
Sunil Bharti Mittal founded the Bharti Group. In 1983, Sunil Mittal was into an agreement with
Germany's Siemens to manufacture the company's push-button telephone models for the Indian
market. In 1986, Sunil Bharti Mittal incorporated Bharti Telecom Limited (BTL) and his
company became the first in India to offer push-button telephones, establishing the basis of
Bharti Enterprises. This first-mover advantage allowed Sunil Mittal to expand his manufacturing
capacity elsewhere in the telecommunications market. By the early 1990s, Sunil Mittal had also
launched the country's first fax machines and its first cordless telephones. In 1992, Sunil Mittal
won a bid to build a cellular phone network in Delhi. In 1995, Sunil Mittal incorporated the
cellular operations as Bharti Tele-Ventures and launched service in Delhi. In 1996, cellular
service was extended to Himachal Pradesh. In 1999, Bharti Enterprises acquired control of JT
Holdings, and extended cellular operations to Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. In 2000, Bharti
acquired control of Skycell Communications, in Chennai. In 2001, the company acquired control
of Spice Cell in Calcutta. Bharti Enterprises went public in 2002, and the company was listed on
Mumbai Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange of India. In 2003, the cellular phone
operations were rebranded under the single Airtel brand. In 2004, Bharti acquired control of
Hexacom and entered Rajasthan. In 2005, Bharti extended its network to Andaman and Nicobar.

[edit] Mobile Services

Airtel has nationwide presence and is the market leader with a market share of almost
completely(as of May 2010). It is 6th most valued brand according to an annual survey
conducted by Brand Finance and The Economic Times in 2010.[8]
On 19 October 2004, Airtel announced the launch of a BlackBerry Wireless Solution in India.
The launch is a result of a tie-up between Bharti Tele-Ventures Limited and Research In Motion
(RIM).
The Apple iPhone 3G was rolled out in India on 22 August 2008 by Airtel & Vodafone. Both the
cellular service providers rolled out their Apple iPhone 3GS in the first quarter of 2010.
However, high prices and contract bonds discouraged consumers and it was not as successful for
both the service providers as much as the iPhone is successful in other markets of the world.
There has been lot of criticism about Airtel for its unauthorised VAS activation. Many of its
services were activated automatically according to a complaint forum. In return Airtel launched
STOP/START 121 services for such issues.

3G
On May 18, 2010, 3G spectrum auction was completed and Airtel will have to pay the Indian
government /wiki/Indian_rupee /wiki/Indian_rupee3314.36 crores for spectrum in 4
circles. The circles it has won spectrum are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kolkata and Punjab. [18]
Airtel has not revealed when it will launch BWA services. “We should be announcing the launch
of our BWA services in the next few months,” said deputy group CEO and managing director of
Bharti Enterprises, Akhil Gupta. He however declined to disclose a timeline for the launch

Digital Television
Main article: Airtel Digital TV
The Digital TV business provides Direct-to-Home (DTH) TV services across India under the
brand name Airtel Digital TV. It started services on 9 October 2008. Airtel Digital TV also offers
Airtel Digital TV recorder and High Definition (HD) set top boxes. Airtel digital TV had over
4.9 million customers at the end 2010.[1]

Rebranding
On 18 November 2010, Airtel rebranded itself in India in the first phase of a global rebranding
strategy. The company unveiled a new logo with 'airtel' written in lower case. Designed by
London-based brand agency, Brand Union, the new logo is the letter 'a' in lowercase, with 'airtel'
written in lowercase under the logo.
Talking about the new look in detail, Sanjay Kapoor, CEO, Bharti Airtel states that the new
identity underlines Airtel's willingness to embrace everything that is new. He adds, "The logo
type is modern, vibrant and friendly and signals our resolution to be accessible to our customers
and stakeholders. And the lowercase is our recognition for humility. The red colour, which is an
integral part of the brand, continues to represent heritage, energy and passion. The new curved
and the gentle highlight almost gives the impression of a living object; at the same time, it
represents a dynamic force of unparalleled energy, brings us closer to consumers and is a symbol
which will help ensure instant recognition across diverse international markets."[22]

[edit] Signature tune

The signature tune of Airtel is composed by Indian musician A. R. Rahman. The tune became
hugely popular and is the world's most downloaded mobile music with over 150 million
downloads.[23] A new version of the song was released on 18 November 2010, as part of the
rebranding of the company. This version too was composed by Rahman himselfl

Airtel Mobile New Facility Launched

This means you can call toll free numbers of different companies from your mobile
also now, which was not the case earlier. Havent tried myself yet, but if it is working
then great. Little saving on STD calls

FAQs on 3G

What is 3G?

3G stands for third generation wireless. It is based on an International Telecommunication Union (ITU) initiative for a single global
wireless standard called International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000).
It enhances the service experience such as multimedia, high speed mobile broadband, internet access with the ability to view video
footage on your mobile handset. With a 3G phone and access to the Vodafone 3G network you can make video calls, watch live TV,
access the high speed internet, receive emails and download music tracks, as well as the usual voice call and messaging services
found on a mobile phone, like person to person video, live streaming, downloadable video of entertainment, news, current affairs
and sport content and video messaging.
What is the difference between WCDMA and HSPA?

High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) is a amalgamation of two new generation mobile telephony protocols: - High Speed Downlink
Packet Access (HSDPA) and High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA). The term HSPA is commonly used to refer to UMTS
based Vodafone 3G networks that support both HSDPA and HSUPA data for improved download and upload speeds. It can support
speeds upto 21 Mbps & also reduces latency, Handsets, USB dongle & data cards are available with HSPA technology support.
WCDMA is a 3G technology that supports only low 3G speeds comparable to the existing EDGE network, For a true 3G experience,
we recommend a HSPA device.
We recommend that a user upgrades his phone to a HSPA technology phone to ensure he enjoys the 3G services with high speed
& best experience.

Will 3G services work in Prepaid & Postpaid both?

Yes, 3G services will work in Prepaid & Postpaid both the connections.

Do I need a separate SIM card to use 3G services?

No, your existing SIM card will work absolutely fine till the time you have a 3G compatible phone & connected to Vodafone 3G
network.

Do I have a separate helpline number to call for 3G service queries & complaints?

Yes, you can call 116 for all queries on 3G, alternately you can even call Vodafone customer care .

Do I need a separate handset to use 3G services?

Yes, in order to use 3G services you need to have a handset which is compatible with Vodafone 3G network, in case you handset is
already 3G compatible then you don’t need to purchase a new phone. Different 3G handsets have different speed capabilities, we
recommend that you use an HSPA enabled handset for the best experience.

How would I know if my handset is 3G compatible or not?

When you are in a Vodafone 3G network area & if your handset shows “3G” or “H” on the top of the screen next to the network
signal bars means that your phone is 3G compatible & you can use the services. You must also ensure that the phone settings are
not set to ‘2G only’, alternately you can also check on your handset manufacturer website or www.vodafone.in/3G or your device
box.
Also there are 2 types of handsets – WCDMA (R99) & HSPA.
WCDMA or R99 devices are 3G devices but support low 3G speeds.
HSPA devices are high speed devices & support anything from 3.6mbps to 7.2mbps depending on the device.
We recommend that a user should upgrade the handset from WCDMA to HSPA for better speeds & experience.

If I need a new 3G phone then do I need to purchase it only from Vodafone or any open market handset will also work fine?

It is not necessary to purchase a 3G device only from Vodafone; you can buy one from the open handset market but ensure that it is
3G HSPA or HSPA+ compatible so that you can access high / very fast 3G speeds from 3.6 mbps to 21.1 mbps

Do I need to configure any special settings on my phone to use 3G?

No, you do not need any additional settings to use 3G on your phone. However please ensure that you are latched on to 3G network
once the 3G service is activated.
Do I need a specific type of handset for making a video call or can I use my existing 3G compatible device?

In order to make a video call, it is necessary to have a handset /device which supports video calling.

How much data usage do I consume when I make a video call?

Video call does not use data channels on Vodafone 3G network but accesses voice channels therefore you will not be consuming
any data usage but get billed according to the number of minutes spoken multiplied by the rate per minute.

Can I make a video call while using other operator network while roaming?

Yes, you can use all 3G service seamlessly while roaming on other operator network if we have a roaming tie-up with that particular
operator & therefore you can even make video calls.

Is it necessary for both the parties to have a 3G phone & service to be to make & receive video calls?

Yes, it is necessary for both the parties to have a 3G phone with video calling capability & connected on 3G network.

Can I make a video call to other operator customer having a 3G phone connected on a 3G network?

Yes, you can make a video call in such a situation network can be of any other operator.

What do I do when I am unable to make a video call despite of having the required handset & Vodafone 3G network is
connected?

In such a situation, you will first need to check if the person you are trying to call also has a video compatible 3G phone & is
connected a 3G network. In spite of that if it is not connecting then please call our Vodafone customer care service.

Can I connect my handset to my PC or laptop to use 3G services & access internet as a fast speed?

Connecting a handset to laptop or PC is called tethering, this is definitely possible on Vodafone 3G network with high speeds
provided your device allows / supports tethering. The charges will be applicable as per the tariff plan activated.

What is a 3G data card / USB dongles?

3G Data cards / USB dongles are meant for accessing internet and emails at anytime and from anywhere. Thus 3G Data Cards /
USB dongles help us to work on the move with full email and web access .It provides Simple and instant internet access at mega
fast speeds up to 21.1 Mbps. 3G data cards make us free from messy wires, Fixed Line Requirement, No Need of Cyber Cafe / Hot
Spot to Access Internet. Thus your Lap top become truly mobile.

What are the benefits of 3G?

› Multimedia streaming & download

› High speed mobile broadband
› Video calling
› Live TV
› Download of large email attachments very fast

What are the different value added services available on Vodafone 3G network?

We will launch relevant value added service, exciting and easy to use bouquet of services

What is the speed I will get on 3G while accessing internet?

Practically, you are going to get broadband experience with speed better than any other wireless technology available in India today,
with peak speed at 21.1 Mbps on the Vodafone network.

How fast is 3G speed as compared to 2G ?

Practically you will get 20 to 30 times faster speeds on Vodafone 3G network as compared to 2G.

Does 3G improve my voice quality automatically?

No, the voice quality is the same in 2G and 3G. It brings additional capacity to further support peak voice usage.

When is Vodafone launching 3G services in India?

Vodafone has launched 3G services in India in selected cities. You can now activate any of our 3G tariffs & start enjoying 3G
services on your Vodafone Mobile phone.

Will 3G work only in my city or even while roaming?

Yes, 3G will not only work in your home network but also while roaming in India and abroad if we have a roaming tie-up with the
operators in India & abroad

What happens when I move from 3G to 2G network?

When a user moves from 3G to 2G network then all the service supported on Vodafone 3G network like, video call, high speed
internet access, etc will not be available, the user will get basic service like what he gets now. If you were on a voice call while
moving from 3G to 2G network, the call will continue.

Will 3G services be available across India or in select cities?

To begin with, 3G services have been made available in the following cities.

Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Coimbatore, Ahmedabad, Surat, Gandhidham, Lucknow, Kanpur, Pune, Nagpur, Ambala ,
Panipat Gandhinagar, Mundra & Siliguri .

We will keep adding cities & increase our 3G network coverage to provide services across India.

• airtel 3G FAQs
 o what is 3G?

Third
Generat
ion or
3G is a
generic
term
used for
the next
generati
on of
mobile
commu
nication
system
s. The
3G
network
gives
you the
power
of
higher
speeds
to enjoy
multime
dia
service
s , high
speed
mobile
broadb
and
and
internet
access
with the
ability
to view
videos
on your
mobile
handset
. With a
3G
phone
and
access
to the
3G
network
you can
make
video
calls,
watch
live TV,
access
high
speed
internet
and
enjoy
live
streami
ng at
never
before
speeds.

o in which country was 3G first introduced?


Japan was the first country to introduce 3G on a large commercial scale. Today there are about 60 3G netwo
across 25 countries
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o which are the cities where airtel has launched its 3G services?


Click here to check the list of cities where 3G has been launched.
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o is 3G a different technology from 2G?


Running on technology called High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), 3G networks can send data many times fa
than the rates of earlier 2G networks, which means that in addition to audio, graphics and text, 3G customers
also send and receive video content in 3G coverage areas
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o what is the advantage of 3G over 2G?


3G allows high speed Internet and data services on the move. With 3G you can make video calls and use a h
other multimedia services which are not available in 2G.
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o what are the prerequisites for experiencing 3G?


3G can be experienced with 3G connection and 3G compatible mobile handset in 3G covered areas.
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o what all I can do with 3G?


• Connect to family and friends - Face-to-face video calling. In real time!
• Connect to the internet with superfast page loading times
• Download and upload large files at blazing fast speeds
• Get your entertainment on the go - Real time streaming of music and videos
• Send and receive mails with large attachments
• Download and play interactive HD games
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o on what factors does 3G speed depend?


Speed depends on handset used, coverage, network traffic and number of users currently using the 3G netw
that point of time.
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o can I download and upload videos on my mobile?


Yes, with 3G you can watch streaming videos and download videos on your mobile handset. You can also se
generated content i.e. record video from your mobile and share them with your friends or upload on internet s
from your mobile.
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o what are the benefits for Mobile Broadband?


Mobile Broadband allows High speed internet and data service even while on the move. You require a 3G ha
and subscription to 3G services to use mobile broadband on your handset. In case, you want to connect your
or PDA to 3G network, like while moving in a vehicle, you will require to connect your 3G handset to the comp
through data cable, infrared or blue tooth. You may also buy a 3G data card and use the same with your com
access high speed 3G network.
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o are there any specific features to look for while buying a 3G phone?

Not all mobile handsets available in the market support the 3G network, and others offer sub-optimal perform
There are two kinds of 3G phones available - HSPA and WCDMA enabled. airtel recommends using HSPA h
for higher speeds and the best 3G experience.
Click here to check if your mobile is 3G ready?
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Call Duration: Internet

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o what is HSPA and WCDMA?


• HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) is a new generation communication protocol that allows data connection
21 Mbps per user in good coverage and quality conditions. Today mobile phones & USB Data Cards are ava
with HSPA.
• WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) is a 3G technology version that allows data connection
384 Kbps per user in good coverage and quality conditions.
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o what is the difference between 3G and Wi MAX?


• 3G cellular networks are designed to handle both data and voice traffic. The WiMAX standard is used only f
transferring data.

• A 3G network is designed for voice and data traffic to travel from tower to tower as an individual is in motion
WiMAX network is more similar in function to a large, integrated Wi-Fi network, with single access points prov
coverage.

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o i am not a airtel user, how can I switch to airtel 3G services on the same mobile no?


New users will need to buy a new airtel 3G connection to use the 3G services.
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o will I get a separate bill for 3G connection?


The charges for 3G usage will be combined with other phone charges in the same bill.
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o what will happen if I am out of 3G coverage area?


You will continue to access 2G/2.5G services in areas where 3G coverage is absent. Please ensure that your
network setting on handset is on dual mode.
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o will 3G network be available across the country?


airtel is planning to launch 3G services across India to give you a seamless 3G experience.
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o how will I get 3G access if I am outside home network?


You can access 3G services while roaming outside home network if you are in 3G covered area.
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o am I required to replace my existing 2G SIM Card?


3G will work on your existing 2G SIM Card. You will not be required to change your SIM Card.
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o how will I know whether I've got a 3G connection versus a 2G one?


When your mobile connection is activated for 3G services, you will receive a confirmation from airtel and you
able to latch on to 3G network and will see 3G/3.5G on your phone instead of Edge or 2G. In addition to this y
also call 121 to know about the activation of 3G services on your mobile handset.
second lable
598
598
598

Free Minutes
150 minutes
150 minutes
150 minutes

Local Minutes
NIL
NIL
NIL

Monthly Commitment (Rs.)

598
598
 598

Free Minutes
150 minutes
150 minutes
150 minutes

Local Minutes
NIL
NIL
NIL

Call Duration: Local Mobile

60
60
60

Call Duration: Internet

NA
NA
NA

STD (Any Where)

Rs.1/min
Rs.1/min
Rs.1/min

second lable
598
598
598

o can I add my laptop to my existing cell phone account, with the 3G service covering both? Or do I
need to pay separately for each? If separately, can I get 3G just for my laptop, or can I use my
cell
phone as a 3G model for my laptop?

Laptops without 3G capability will not be able to latch on to a 3G network. For using your laptop to browse the
Internet, you will need to use it as mentioned below:
• Use 3G phone as a modem and connect it with your Laptop/Desktop to browse Internet at High Speeds.
• Alternatively, if you want to use your laptop or desktop, you could use airtel USB Data Cards to browse inter
High Speed.

In cases of Netbooks which have a SIM card slot, the 3G activated SIM could be inserted and these netbooks
then be used to browse internet
second lable
598
598
598

Free Minutes
150 minutes
150 minutes
150 minutes

Local Minutes
NIL
NIL
NIL

Monthly Commitment (Rs.)

598
598
598

Free Minutes
150 minutes
150 minutes
150 minutes

Local Minutes
NIL
NIL
NIL

Call Duration: Local Mobile

60
60
60
 Call Duration: Internet
NA
NA
NA

STD (Any Where)

Rs.1/min
Rs.1/min
Rs.1/min

second lable
598
598
598

o what are the limits on data transfer each month? How do I know if I've exceeded these limits? Does
unlimited plan from airtel really let me transfer unlimited amounts of data?


This will be basis the 3G Data plan that you will activate. airtel will adequately keep you informed of your usag
second lable
598
598
598

Free Minutes
150 minutes
150 minutes
150 minutes

Local Minutes
NIL
NIL
NIL
Monthly Commitment (Rs.)
598
598
598

Free Minutes
150 minutes
150 minutes
150 minutes

Local Minutes
NIL
NIL
NIL

Call Duration: Local Mobile

60
60
60

Call Duration: Internet

NA
NA
NA

STD (Any Where)

Rs.1/min
Rs.1/min
Rs.1/min

second lable
598
598
598
o will I need to get special software - from airtel or someone else - to use 3G service on my PC? If
so, what does it do? Is there an additional cost? And does it work with my operating system?


• In case you are using a 3G activated phone as a modem, then the device PC software will suffice the need.
• In case you are using an airtel USB Data Card, then there will have a plug and play option with the data car
will automatically download the required software on your computer to initiate browsing. There will be no addi
cost to download these softwares.
second lable
598
598
598

Free Minutes
150 minutes
150 minutes
150 minutes

Local Minutes
NIL
NIL
NIL

Monthly Commitment (Rs.)

598
598
598

Free Minutes
150 minutes
150 minutes
150 minutes

Local Minutes
NIL
NIL
NIL

Call Duration: Local Mobile

60
60
 60

Call Duration: Internet

NA
NA
NA

STD (Any Where)

Rs.1/min
Rs.1/min
Rs.1/min

second lable
598
598
598

• airtel 3G USB modem FAQs

o what is a 3G USB modem ?


A 3G USB modem(or data card) is device that allows you to wirelessly connect to internet using a GSM/CDM
network and provides you the ability to browse the Internet on extremely high speeds.

o what are the types of airtel 3G USB modems available?


With the launch of 3G, airtel has currently launched 2 types of airtel 3G USB modems in the market. These a
Mbps & b) 7.2 Mbps For further information on them & specifications pls refer to the section types of airtel 3G
modems:-
The key features of airtel branded airtel 3G USB modems (aside to specifications mentioned above) would be
following:
• These support speeds upto 7.2 Mbps .
• Micro SD slot with expandable memory of upt 32 GB
• airtel Branded logo on the packaging & on the airtel 3G USB modem
• airtel Network locked
 • airtel defined QoS certified
• airtel/Huawei customer service support post sales for all airtel 3G USB modems sold

o which are the cities where airtel has launched its 3G services?


Click here to check the list of cities where 3G has been launched.
second lable
598
598
598

Free Minutes
150 minutes
150 minutes
150 minutes

Local Minutes
NIL
NIL
NIL

Monthly Commitment (Rs.)

598
598
598

Free Minutes
150 minutes
150 minutes
150 minutes

Local Minutes
NIL
NIL
NIL

Call Duration: Local Mobile

60
60
60
 Call Duration: Internet
NA
NA
NA

STD (Any Where)

Rs.1/min
Rs.1/min
Rs.1/min

second lable
598
598
598

o where can I purchase an airtel 3G USB modem from?


One could purchase an airtel 3G USB modem from any of the following 2 categories of outlets
a) Nearest airtel ARC/AEO available in your area– who is associated/entitled with an airtel Distributor
b) Any other entitled IT/or retail outlet
*Post purchase of the airtel 3G USB modem, the customer can choose from any of the available data tariff pl
choice, to activate & start surfing/browsing on internet

o do I need to be an existing airtel customer to purchase the airtel 3G USB modem


No, you do not necessarily have to be an existing airtel customer. However airtel 3G USB modems are netwo
locked to airtel service & one needs to have an airtel SIM (Data plan) to use airtel 3G USB modems for acces
Internet

o how do I install the airtel 3G USB modem & start accessing the internet?


 All airtel 3G USB modems are plug-n-play in nature & auto install the first time they are plugged into a laptop
Pls refer to specification sheet of modems to check the Operating System that support these.

o what are the tariffs available on the data cards?

Pls refer tariff pack chart for data packs


o what is the after sales service available for airtel 3G USB modems


Each customer for query, complain or support can contact toll free number 18001030405

Vodafone, ESS tie up for WC live coverage

New Delhi, (Agencies): Cellular service provider Vodafone Essar on Thursday confirmed its
ties with the official broadcaster of the upcoming cricket World Cup ESPN Star Sports (ESS) for
live streaming of the matches on mobile phones.

As a co-presenting broadcast sponsor, Vodafone will enable its subscribers to see 'ball-by-ball'
live coverage of 49 matches of the event that begins from February 19 onwards.

The statement issued said that Live streaming of the matches on 'ESPN Mobile TV' can be
availed on both 2G (GPRS enabled) and 3G handsets.

Vodafone will also launch an on-air advertising campaign around the World Cup soon.

Vodafone Tie Up With ICICI Bank For Financial Inclusion

Vodafone, one of the largest Mobile service operator in India, today announced a joint
initiative with the ICICI Bank to drive financial inclusion in the country.

Under this tie-up, both entities will offer a bouquet of financial products such as savings
accounts, pre-paid instruments and credit products through a mobile phone based
platform.

This partnership is expected to bring the un-banked and under-banked population into
the organised financial services framework and assist in furthering the electronic
payments market in India.

ICICI Bank will leverage the distribution strength of Vodafone, which manages over 1.5
million retail points for acquiring customers and servicing them.

Talk Talk and Vodafone tie up on mobile broadband

Potential cheap deals
By Asavin Wattanajantra

Fri Jul 30 2010, 10:39

BLIGHTY ISP Talk Talk has signed a deal with Vodafone that will see it offer mobile voice
and broadband alongside its current home phone and broadband services.

It's a pretty big deal for both companies, as Talk Talk has a huge subscriber base of around
4.2 million companies. Under the partnership, Talk Talk is going to use the Vodafone
network to target its existing customers with low-cost monthly broadband contract deals.

The Mobile Virtual Network Operation (MVNO) agreement will start in the Autumn. Talk Talk
split from mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse back in April, which has its own MVNO
deal with Vodafone.

Talk Talk is one of the companies that have had success with low-cost broadband, pushing
prices down significantly in the last few years, even if the speed and connection quality
haven't necessarily improved in tandem.

It has a significant share of the home broadband market, so it makes obvious sense to offer
mobile broadband packages alongside what it has currently, and this potentially could
undercut competitors.

For example, O2 has gone the opposite direction and now offers home broadband services
after having success with mobile voice and broadband.

Mobile subscribers can get a significant discount on home broadband, making it a very good
deal if you're on the O2 network. Talk Talk might soon be able to offer a similar type of
thing, but the other way 'round.
Vodafone signs 'milestone' network tie-up with O2

Vodafone has signed a landmark deal with O2's parent company which could save them
"hundreds of millions of pounds," as the two rivals attempt to combat the disintegrating
economic conditions. The shift prompted analysts to predict a spate of similar deals throughout
the industry.
Vodafone and the Spanish giant Telefónica yesterday announced a plan to share network
infrastructure in the UK as well as Germany, Spain and the Republic of Ireland, the largest deal
of its size. Michel Combes, the chief executive of Vodafone in Europe, said the announcement
marked "a transformational deal for the industry, in terms of size and scope".
Telefónica Europe's head, Matthew Key, said: "It reflects a mindset change in the industry,"
before adding that the "current economic situation was one catalyst" for the deal. He said: "These
are two of the leading players coming together from a position of strength, but we will continue
to compete aggressively in the retail space."
In the UK, the two companies will build and share new network sites together. They will share
the masts, antennas, cabinets and power supply, as well as consolidate their existing G and 3G
masts.
Terry Norman, a senior analyst at Analysys Mason, said: "Equipment costs and maintenance are
very expensive. The two companies are being brave. It is a sign of the way the industry is going
and I think others will follow."
The plan is expected to deliver "cost efficiencies of hundreds of millions of pounds for each
company over 10 years," according to the companies. No job losses are expected from the tie-up.
The groups hope to provide customers with wider network coverage, using fewer masts. They
hope that voice services will improve as well as providing services such as mobile broadband to
more customers in a wider area of the country.
Chris Williams, the telecoms partner at Deloitte, said: "It provides considerable potential for cost
saving. The scope of this deal is impressive and is likely to herald further tie-ups across the
sector. The key issue is competition – essentially we are moving to service rather than
infrastructure-based competition."
Mr Combes said the concept of network sharing had been a "key part of Vodafone's strategy". It
has not, however, been such a key strategy for O2, and Mr Key was forced to defend the
company's U-turn yesterday. "We have said in the past that we were sceptical of network sharing
that would detrimentally impact the customer. This deal does not do that," he said.
The mobile phone operators have been relatively resilient in the face of the global downturn.
Vodafone's focus has shifted from expansion under its former chief executive Arun Sarin, to
cost-cutting under his replacement, Vittorio Colao, who joined last July. He announced plans to
slash costs by £1bn by 2011, and it emerged last month that 500 workers would be axed in the
UK.
The handset makers are suffering worse. Last week Sony Ericsson warned of losses in the first
quarter as consumer demand for handsets has slumped in the past six months, while Nokia
announced plans to cut 1,700 jobs worldwide.

Vodafone and O2 to pool mobile networks

The network sharing agreement is the biggest shakeup of the UK's mobile phone industry since
the introduction of wireless broadband services at the start of the decade
Vodafone has teamed up with O2's parent company, Telefónica, to share mobile network
infrastructure in the biggest deal of its kind.

The two mobile phone companies announced a "milestone" collaboration today to merge existing
mobile sites and build new ones together in the UK, Germany, Spain and Ireland, with
discussions continuing in the Czech Republic. This covers the five countries both firms operate
in. They already share some mobile sites in Spain.

Coming more than a year after a network-sharing venture between T-Mobile and 3, the deal –
first predicted in the Guardian a fortnight ago – is part of a major shakeup of the UK's mobile
phone industry.

The move will save both firms hundreds of millions of pounds over the next decade. The pair are
exploring further savings such as sharing transmission services.

Matthew Key, chief executive of Telefónica Europe, said: "This goes some way to 'future
proofing' the network. The current economic situation was a catalyst."

Revenues have come under pressure as consumers buy fewer handsets. Key added: "We continue
to compete aggressively in the retail market."

The decision to share 2G and 3G sites – masts, equipment and power supply – will reduce the
environmental impact, the firms said. They have 12,000 sites each but plan to share "several
thousand", resulting in less power being used.

The deal will also accelerate wireless broadband coverage, enabling the pair to push into rural
areas more quickly. In some parts of Britain, there is no mobile phone coverage at all.

Both firms insisted that the deal would benefit customers as well as shareholders, although it is
unlikely to lead to cheaper calls and internet services.

"I don't think that you can expect a drop in prices," said Julien Grivolas, a telecoms analyst at
Ovum. "It's really a way to cut costs in order to be more profitable."

Vodafone already has network-sharing agreements with Orange, owned by France Télécom, in
the UK and Spain and with TIM in Italy. Michel Combes, head of Vodafone Europe, admitted
that the Orange partnership had not delivered the anticipated benefits because the two companies
operate in different frequency bands, and that the Telefónica deal offered "more potential".

Peter Boyland, telecoms analyst at IHS Global Insight, said: "The network-sharing agreement
between Vodafone and Telefónica is a clear sign of how difficult the operators are expecting
things to become in western Europe."

Vodafone also confirmed it is freezing the salaries of its 10,000 UK staff, including
management, and said bonuses were "unlikely". Company car drivers will have to keep their cars
for four years rather than three or drive an extra 20,000 miles before receiving a replacement.

Bharti Retail, Airtel tie up for shopping bill

payment
Bharti Retail, wholly-owned subsidiary of Bharti Enterprises, today said it has started offering
customers the facility to pay shopping bills through mobile phones.

The service is being provided in association with group firm Bharti Airtel and consumers can use
the facility for purchases of up to Rs 5,000 at its 'easyday' stores.

"Initially available to customers of easyday stores in Gurgaon, the facility will be launched in
other key cities in India to cover all easyday and easyday Market stores in phased manner, as per
the roll out of Airtel Money," the company said in a statement.

Airtel Money is a facility for financial transaction through mobile phone, which allows exchange
cash up to Rs 5,000 for virtual money and store it on their phone in the form of a prepaid
account.

HTC in tie-up with Airtel for 3G smartphone

handset
NEW DELHI: Taiwan-based handset maker HTC today entered into an exclusive partnership
with cellullar operator Bharti Airtel to launch a 3G-enabled smartphone priced at Rs 9,990.

As per the alliance, the touchscreen phone will be available in the country exclusively on Airtel
networks.

The smartphone is based on US chipset maker Qualcomms Brew operating system. HTC is
known for its smartphones powered by Google Android and Windows Mobile platforms
(operating systems for mobile phones).
Nokia, Airtel tie up to offer Ovi Life Tools
The partnership is targeted at providing Airtel's mobile
customers with access to relevant content on agriculture,
education and entertainment.
Nokia and Bharti Airtel have partnered to launch Ovi Life Tools service targeted at providing
Airtel's mobile customers with access to relevant content on agriculture, education and
entertainment.

With this association, Airtel subscribers will be able to activate Ovi Life Tools across areas that
have network availability. They can subscribe to the service starting at Rs 10.

The Nokia Life Tools service enables subscribers to use agriculture services which include
personalised agriculture related information, weather updates, crop advisory and market prices
of their produce; education services which include English learning, general knowledge and
exam preparation modules covering state and central boards; and entertainment services such
as wallpapers, ringtones, ring back tones, games, jokes, news etc.

This service is available on a range of Nokia handsets including the popular entry level devices,
and is available in 11 Indian languages including Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Oriya,
Assamese, Marathi, Malayalam, Kannada and Punjabi in addition to English.

Shireesh Joshi, chief marketing officer, mobile services, Bharti Airtel, said, "We hope that Ovi
Life Tool becomes a key component of our emerging market portfolio, enabling easy access to
information, enhancing productivity and improving the quality of life for our customers."

V Ramnath, director, operator channel, Nokia India, added, "Our association with Bharti Airtel
for Ovi Life Tools will provide us a strong distribution platform, enabling us to take the benefits of
this transformational service to a much larger consumer base."

New Delhi, Oct 31 (UNI) Leading telecommunications services provider Bharti Airtel Ltd today
awarded Nokia, mobile communications leader, a 400 million dollar, three-year contract to
expand its managed GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks in eight circles and deploy a pan-Indian WAP
solution across its networks.

Buzz up!
As per the contract, Nokia will provide managed services and expand Airtel networks to cover
all towns and cities in the eight telecom circles of Mumbai, Maharashtra and Goa, Gujarat, Bihar
(including Jharkhand), Orissa, Kolkata, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, including
Chattisgarh.

The network monitoring operations will be carried out from Nokia's Global Network Services
Center in Chennai.
''Nokia will provide us the latest technology and expertise to drive growth in the latent market in
Eastern India and rapidly expand our coverage in Western parts of India,'' Bharti Airtel President
Manoj Kohli said.

Nokia will also deploy its WAP solution across Airtel's national network to enhance the
operator's mobile packet core network capabilities. The WAP gateway will enable easy usage of
data services, thereby increasing the consumption of content on the Airtel network. Nokia will
provide consulting services and integrate the WAP gateway into a multi-vendor environment.

The company will also deploy latest radio and core network equipment including Nokia MSC
Server System (MSS) mobile softswitch, Nokia Flexi WCDMA and Ultrasite base stations, and
provide services based on Bharti's capacity requirements, delivering a cost-efficient rollout of
on-demand capacity.

''Nokia is proud to collaborate with Bharti on its initiative to take mobile services to millions of
unconnected Indians and enhance the mobile data experience of its existing customers,'' said
Nokia India Country Director (Networks) Ashish Chowdhary said.

In the past two years, Nokia has signed two contracts collectively worth 400 million with Bharti
for the supply of equipment and managed services.

Nokia is a major player in the Managed Services business with close to 60 managed services
contracts globally. Nokia provides managed services in 27 telecom circles in India.

Its operations in India include networks and terminals sales divisions, three Research and
Development facilities, Global Networks Solutions Center and a manufacturing facility in
Chennai that produces both terminals and GSM infrastructure equipment.