Airtel introduces 4G smartphones for Rs 1,399
Posted on: 11/Oct/2017 5:21:57 PM
Bharti Airtel, largest operator in India has got into tie-up with Karbonn Mobiles for bringing bundled 4G smartphones for the price of Rs 1,399. This initiative aims at taking on Reliance Jio in this fast-approaching festive season.
Airtel further said it is likely to bring such bundled 4G smartphones into the market with its first of such multiple partnerships lined up with the mobile maker.
Reliance Jio had announced in July about its internet-based feature phone available at refundable cost of Rs 1,500.
Though its partnership with Karbonn, Airtel can make affordable 4G smartphone available in the market at price as less as a feature phone.
For this, customers should pay Rs 2,899 as down payment for the 4G smartphone. Every month, a consecutive recharge of Rs 169 is mandatory. After 18 months of usage, customers shall get Rs 500 as refund and after 36 months of usage, Rs 1000 will be refunded, thus making a total of Rs 1,500 as refund, reads an Airtel announcement where it claims that the price of the phone is Rs 1,399 on the whole.
On this Android based 4G smartphone, Karbonn A40 Indian, there are two SIM slots with which users can access YouTube, WhatsApp and Facebook. These offers are provided under monthly recharge pack, cashback and data and voice calling benefits.
Customers are free to recharge with any denomination according to the individual requirements if they personally feel not to go beyond Rs 169 bundled plan.
Airtel further states that the refund of Rs 500 after completion of usage of first 18 months is contingent based on whether the customer would recharge for Rs 3,000 during this period, and the remaining Rs 1000 refund after usage of the handset in the next 18 months depends on the recharge worth Rs 3,000 done during the next 18 months.
There is no need for returning the handset to Airtel or Karbonn so as to be eligible for cash benefit.
Airtel and Karbonn have joined hands as a part of Airtel’s Mera Pehla 4G Smartphone. In due course, furthermore additions of handset makers will be done.
Director of Bharti Airtel, Consumer Business, and CMO Raj Pudipeddi said that Airtel is likely to join hands with various manufacturers in order to provide affordable smartphones for customers and create an open ecosystem at very low price.
