Telecom companies have come out in support of the flood-hit Kerala, with the operators offering complimentary talk-time and extended validity, apart from setting up additional infrastructure to provide free Wi-Fi services.
Bharti Airtel, the country’s number one operator by subscribers, is offering free talk-time worth ₹30 and free 1 GB mobile data for its pre-paid users with data valid for seven days for its pre-paid users in Kerala. The company has also extended bill payment dates for post-paid and home broadband customers. The company will also deploy VSAT at five major relief centres in Kerala to provide free Wi-Fi and calling facilities, it said in a statement.
“Airtel’s network teams and partners to continue making efforts to ensure the network is up and running, despite the challenge of lack of power supply and disruption in movement of fuel supplies,” it added.
Vodafone India is also offering a ₹30 talk-time credit (chhota credit) and is auto crediting additional 1 GB mobile data for pre-paid customers in Kerala. The company, a subsidiary of the UK-based Vodafone Plc, is also providing an extension on bill payment dates for post-paid users.
Idea Cellular, which is process of a merger with Vodafone India, is offering talk-time credit of ₹10 and 1 GB data free valid for 7 days for pre-paid users. The company has also extended bill payment date of post-paid users, and also will enable customers to visit and charge their mobile phones at the company stores.
“Team Idea is working 24x7 to restore connectivity in the flood-hit regions,” it said in a statement. Mukesh Ambani-controlled Reliance Jio Infocomm (RJio) has extended a complimentary seven days’ unlimited voice and data pack to its users.