Airtel’s 4G trials for other network users

Bharti Airtel is trying to woo non-Airtel customers in Chennai to try its 4G network (4th generation mobile data protocol) at 3G prices on trials. This follows the success of the launch of Airtel 4G trials among its own customers in the city.

On May 14, Airtel had launched 4G trials in the city by offering a complimentary upgrade to Airtel 4G.

The early adopters of 4G trials provided positive feedback on their experience, said George Mathen, Hub CEO (Kerala and Tamil Nadu), Airtel.

To move to Airtel 4G, non-Airtel customers with 4G ready mobile phones can walk into their nearest Airtel Store or simply log onto www.airtel.in/4G, he told newspersons. Users have said that 4G enabled buffer-free streaming and clear videos.

Mathen said that within a month, Airtel’s 4G networks would be available in Coimbatore, Vellore and Tiruchi. Airtel has 40 lakh customers in Chennai and 1.5 crore in Tamil Nadu, he said.

4G migration

Airtel is currently the only operator to provide 4G network across Chennai, he added. Mathen said that migration from 3G to 4G will be quicker as mobile phones will be available in attractive prices of around ₹6,000.

Further, since the price between 3G and 4G will be narrow, it will make the migration easier, he said. In order to make it easy the availability of 4G devices for customers and build onto the currently nascent 4G devices’ ecosystem, Airtel has launched a partnership with Flipkart and Motorola.

As part of this, Airtel will soon be offering a ₹500 cashback on Moto E 4G purchased from Flipkart, he said.

Airtel will also offer a WiFi hotspot device that allows compatible mobile devices latch onto the 4G network and experience fast 4G speeds.