To earn more revenues Bharti Airtel is focusing voice-only users. By offering a new package, 'One Touch Internet,' they are aiming for simplifying Internet service for millions of first-time users in India. Airtel's 'One Touch Internet' is a WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) portal designed with a simple, secure and intuitive interface that will allow first-time users to discover the Internet easily and help them overcome common perception barriers around the mobile data experience.
Available for prepaid mobile customers on Airtel, 'One Touch Internet' will work as a single point destination for uninitiated Internet users to make them comfortable through a host of popular services. The list includes social networking sites Facebook, Snapdeal as well as videos, online shopping and travel booking sites. The pack will help them to surf, interact and buy through free tutorial videos.
The rapid penetration of mobile telephony has played a key role in transforming the socio- economic growth in developing countries world over, including India. According to estimates - India has over 220 million Internet users today, of which, about 59% get online services over a mobile device. Projected to reach a whopping 385 million by 2017, the smartphone penetration in India is only growing stronger and contributing to a rapidly increasing base of Internet users, which is expected to more than double to 480 million by 2017.
Srinivasan Gopalan, Director – Consumer Business, Bharti Airtel said, "The Indian telecom market has entered a phase of data-led growth. As data networks expand and Internet enabled devices become affordable – more and more Indians are getting online facilities on their mobile devices. However, our market research has shown that there are millions of customers across the country who own an internet-ready mobile device and are keen on getting online, but are apprehensive due to reasons like lack of know-how and fear of incurring heavy data charges. Airtel's 'One Touch Internet' will address these very customer challenges and play the crucial role of hand-holding first-time mobile users as they discover the Internet. We believe that this initiative can play a transformational role in breaking perception barriers among customers and demystifying the Internet not only for the young and urban, but for people from across generations and social strata – thus giving the Indian masses an opportunity to enjoy their first ever Internet experience".
To avail the pack, Airtel prepaid mobile customers can now call 111 or simply visit http://one.airtel.in on their mobile phones' web browsers. Currently available in English and Hindi, 'One Touch Internet' will soon also be available in eight Indian vernacular languages in weeks to come.
