Airtel 3G debuts in Karnataka, Other Circles Delayed

24Jan Manoj Telecom No comments

After announcing that it would launch 3G services in January 2011, Airtel on Monday said it was launching 3G in Karnataka to begin with. The company said it was now targeting a rollout of 3G services across the rest of its 13 3G licence circles by March, thereby acknowledging it was running behind on the rollout. Rival Vodafone too is unlikely to launch its 3G services before middle of February.

Announcing this, Sanjay Kapoor, CEO – Bharti airtel Ltd (India & South Asia) said, “It is indeed the start of a new era when 3G services in India roll out on Airtel’s network. World over ‘Data traffic’ on the back of high speed internet and use of social networking has already exceeded the ‘Voice traffic’. India is ushering in the domain — though later than most of the world — but no doubt we will catch up at a much faster speed.”

Airtel’s 3G services, delivered on high speed HSPA network, will bring in a new era of enriching services in entertainment, utility, commerce and health — all now on the customer’s mobile phone. The Airtel internet on 3G will let users enjoy multimedia services, high speed mobile broadband and internet access with the ability to view videos on mobile phone, make video calls, watch live TV, access high speed internet and enjoy live streaming.

With the mobile industry across the world expecting to connect 2.4 billion people to the internet over the next five years, the launch of its 3G services is seen as a key milestone in Bharti Airtel’s vision to play a leading role in delivering the power of the mobile internet to an increasing number of people in India. The company will offer time-based plans for light users of data, where usage and billing will be charged by hour, while offering flexi-shield plans for heavy users of data (where usage and billing will be capped), it said.

Airtel 3G Plans –

Rs. 9 for 10 MB, validity 1 day

Rs. 45 for 40 MB Validity 3 days

Rs. 60 for 65 MB, validity 3 days

Rs. 103 for 100 MB, validity 30 days

Rs. 200 for 250 MB, validity 30 days

Rs. 450 for 600 MB, validity 30 days

Rs. 750 for 2 GB, validity 30 days.

Apart form the above Plans, Airtel also launched on Heavy Users Plan at Rs. 650 which provide 1.25 GB free data usage. After Free usage all 3G data access will be 10p/MB up to 14 GB and after 14 GB the Speed cap of 128 Kbps will be applicable. Airtel also has special data plans for Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet, Samsung Galaxy S and Wave smartphones, and Nokia N8 smartphone. For the Samsung devices Airtel offers 2GB data download per month for 6 months at one-time charge of Rs.300. If you have a buy a new N8 phone and subscribe to Airtel mobile services (prepaid or postpaid), Airtel will give you free 2GB data per month for 6 months.

Airtel 3G enabled plug-and-play USB modem & Datacards -

Airtel is also offering 3G-enabled plug-and-play USB modem and datacards that will let you access the Internet on your laptop or PC at 3G speeds. The Airtel 3G USB modem is priced at Rs. 3,799. Airtel is said to offer attractive plans for its USB modem, such as, Rs. 999 per month for unlimited data usage. Other plans include Rs. 350/month for 500MB data and Rs. 599/month for 1GB data at 3G speeds.Airtel is also offering 3G-enabled plug-and-play USB modem and datacards that will let you access the Internet on your laptop or PC at 3G speeds. The Airtel 3G USB modem is priced at Rs. 3,799. Airtel is said to offer attractive plans for its USB modem, such as, Rs. 999 per month for unlimited data usage. Other plans include Rs. 350/month for 500MB data and Rs. 599/month for 1GB data at 3G speeds.

Activation and Help –

To activate the 3G service on Airtel Mobile subscribers need to send a SMS 3G to 121. After sending the SMS the confirmation SMS will comes and 2G Data Plan will be de-activated in any. After the confirmation by subscriber 3G Data Plan “Pay As You Go will be activated and all data access will be charged at 30p / 20kb (approx Rs. 15/Mb). For more help call the Toll Free Helpline 12134 or SMS ‘3G HELP’ to 121.