Bharti Airtel and Google have teamed up to launch Free Zone service that enables Airtel mobile subscribers to access mobile web search, Gmail and Google at free of cost. Free Zone lets user access first page of a website from search results at no data cost.
To start with, users need to visit www.airtel.in/freezone. They can simply start using the Internet without having to sign in to the service. Users can search and access the first page of websites from the results for free. If they click further into a website after that, they are directed to a page where they can purchase a data package.
Moreover, users have free access to Gmail from their mobile browser. If users click on a link or attachment within the email, they are directed to a page where they can purchase a data package. If users don’t have a Google account, they can create one at no cost by clicking on sign up or click here.
For social networking enthusiasts, the Free Zone service allows users to share hare online photos and messages with circles of family, selected friends or the public, and follow updates on their favourite topics and people on Google .
When users leave the Free Zone to browse further in a website or download an attachment they are notified about the data charges as well as given the option to purchase an appropriate data package.
It’s notable users can use Google , Gmail and Google Search free of data charges with a fair usage cap of 1 GB per month.
“The mobile Internet user base is growing really fast in India. Working with Airtel on this exciting trial means that we can offer Internet services at no cost to anyone with a phone. This gives people easier access to information in a way that benefits everyone, whether it’s an individual or a small business that wants to reach more people on the web. We hope this initiative will encourage more Indians to experience the value of the Internet and gain from it. Students can easily look up for facts to work on their assignments, housewives will be able to easily check on recipes and connect with their friends and family from their mobile phones,” says Rajan Anandan, VP and Managing Director, Google India.
“As the country’s leading telecom services provider, we at Airtel are constantly looking for new ways of exciting more and more of our 200 million plus customers in India about the data experience. In this market, where feature phones predominate, our association with Google to bring Free Zone to India will encourage millions of users to discover the power of mobile internet for the very first time and leverage the amazing world of information search, email and social collaboration – at no incremental cost” said N Rajaram, Chief Marketing Officer – Consumer Business, Bharti Airtel.