Bharti Airtel chooses Alcatel Lucent to create a CEN (Carrier grade Ethernet)

Press Release:

Paris, May 31, 2012 - Bharti Airtel, a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa has selected Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) to create CEN based IP - access network- thereby enabling the operator to deliver faster mobile broadband speeds to its customers. This IP network will allow Bharti Airtel to meet the surging bandwidth requirements of customers while accessing data, video and Internet services on an array of devices, such as smart-phones, tablets and laptops.

Jagbir Singh, Director – Network Services Group, Bharti Airtel said, “Given the exponential growth in the uptake of data in India, we thought it is the right time for us to transition to a scalable IP-based access network for reasons of both cost and performance. With this we will usher in the next level of user experience that brings alive high-bandwidth applications such as high-speed Internet, interactive TV, mobile video blogging and many more. Alcatel Lucent's IP/MPLS solutions currently operating on our network have been able to manage our data delivery requirements and we are convinced on the scalability aspect of the proposed solution.”

Munish Seth, President and Managing Director, Alcatel-Lucent India said, “We are delighted that Bharti Airtel has chosen Alcatel-Lucent to provide a consistent level of quality in delivering broadband services and voice to all their subscribers. It puts them in a great position to face the challenges of increased bandwidth demand as the millions of their customers discover the power and appeal of the mobile internet for data access, social interaction, gaming and mobile television to name just some of the available options. It is a whole new world and Bharti Airtel is ready for its challenges and we are delighted to partner with Bharti Airtel in this journey”

With ever growing 'data' demand for both personal & enterprise broadband services set to soar further, Bharti Airtel's CEN (carrier-grade Ethernet)-based IP access network will help the company to offer its customers various services such as video streaming, high speed data , social network-based applications, online gaming, video conferencing and online collaboration. Additionally this network would also be catering to the DSL broadband as well as 2G/3G/4G voice and data traffic making it a true converged network.

The key elements of the Bharti Airtel mobile backhaul network are Alcatel-Lucent’s 7750 Service Router, 7705 Service Aggregation Router (SAR) and 5620 Service Aware Manager. They are the cornerstones of Alcatel-Lucent’s leading Mobile Backhaul solution, offering a highly scalable, converged (support for 2G, 3G, and 4G/LTE) and reliable end-to-end solution deployed by more than 120 operators globally.

ABOUT BHARTI AIRTEL LIMITED

Bharti Airtel Limited is a leading integrated telecommunications company with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa. Headquartered in New Delhi, India, the company ranks amongst the top 5 mobile service providers globally in terms of subscribers. In India, the company's product offerings include 2G, 3G and 4G services, fixed line, high speed broadband through DSL, IPTV, DTH, enterprise services including national & international long distance services to carriers. In the rest of the geographies, it offers 2G, 3G mobile services. Bharti Airtel had over 253 million customers across its operations at the end of April 2012. To know more please visit, www.airtel.com

ABOUT ALCATEL-LUCENT (EURONEXT PARIS AND NYSE: ALU)

The long-trusted partner of service providers, enterprises and governments around the world, Alcatel-Lucent is a leading innovator in the field of networking and communications technology, products and services. The company is home to Bell Labs, one of the world's foremost research centers, responsible for breakthroughs that have shaped the networking and communications industry. Alcatel-Lucent was named one of MIT Technology Review's 2012 Top 50 list of the "World's Most Innovative Companies" for breakthroughs such as lightRadio™, which cuts power consumption and operating costs on wireless networks while delivering lightning fast Internet access. Through such innovations, Alcatel-Lucent is making communications more sustainable, more affordable and more accessible as we pursue our mission - Realizing the Potential of a Connected World.

With operations in more than 130 countries and one of the most experienced global services organizations in the industry, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with global reach. The Company achieved revenues of Euro 15.3 billion in 2011 and is incorporated in France and headquartered in Paris.


For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on: www.alcatel-lucent.com, read the latest posts on the Alcatel-Lucent blog  www.alcatel-lucent.com/blog and follow the Company on Twitter: twitter.com/Alcatel_Lucent.

Read the rest of this entry

Airtel forays into mobile advertising

 Press Release:

May 28th, 2012: Bharti Airtel, a leading global telecom services provider with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa, today announced its strategic foray into the mobile advertising (m-Advertising) segment, in India. With this, Airtel will equip advertisers to connect with their potential customers in a targeted and personalized fashion via their mobile phones.

The platform is designed to meet all the essential demands of advertisers such as inventory management, campaign management, reporting and analytics. Commenting on the development, K Srinivas, President – Consumer Business, Bharti Airtel, said, “We are excited to launch our mobile advertising platform. Personalization, sharp segmentation and contextualization are increasingly making this platform an exciting proposition for brands. With the mobile advertising market poised to grow by more than 40% over the next few years, Airtel with its technology, scale and customer intelligence is placed uniquely to leverage this growing medium. Airtel’s m-advertising platform will enable advertisers to land their message in a simple, effective manner in an increasingly complex media environment”.

Through Airtel’s m-Advertising platform, advertisers will be able to leverage multiple communications outlets and tools such as mobile internet (WAP), Messaging services and Airtel digital TV to engage their audiences. Today, Airtel, also enjoys the capability to deliver massive reach in a high impact burst which can be delivered in just a few hours using touch points such as end of call notifications, recharge notifications & Digital TV guides. It will not only create opportunities for increasing brand saliency but also conversions using technologies such as mobile couponing for segments such as youth, upper SEC, smartphone users etc. With this platform, companies can also extend their access to the rural audience with voice solutions.

Read the rest of this entry

Bharti Airtel appoints ZTE to supply, manage 4G network in Kolkata

Press Release

New Delhi, 4 April 2012, 01:40 P.M., India – Bharti Airtel, a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 19 countries across Asia and Africa has selected ZTE Corporation (“ZTE”), a publicly-listed global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions to plan, design, supply and deploy its 4G network in Kolkata. The forthcoming launch of 4G services, will allow Bharti Airtel subscribers to experience, high speed wireless internet access that can support bandwidth intensive applications, support video streaming and high-definition video conferencing.

Sanjay Kapoor, CEO Bharti Airtel (India & South Asia) said, “According to industry estimates, by 2016 – 6% of all mobile connections will have 4G connection, which would create 36% of the total mobile data traffic – thus paving way for the ensuing data revolution. The impending launch of 4G in the country will provide ultra high speed data access, driving fundamental changes in society at large. We look forward to the launch of 4G technology in India, which will be timed to match the world in its launch.”

Mr. Cui Liangjun, Chief Executive Officer, ZTE India said, “We are glad to be a part of Airtel’s foray into LTE services for the first time in India. ZTE is fully determined to build a strong LTE ecosystem that offers a scintillating experience for Internet users.”

ZTE is a leader in developing LTE technologies and till date has applied for 381 essential patents (EPs) for LTE standards, which account for approximately seven percent of the total number of EP applications globally. The organization offers a full range of LTE base stations, including widely distributed macro stations. It has won 30 contracts for LTE commercial application and has deployed test networks in cooperation with more than 100 operators across the globe.

About Bharti Airtel Limited
Bharti Airtel Limited is a leading integrated telecommunications company with operations in 19 countries across Asia and Africa. Headquartered in New Delhi, India, the company ranks amongst the top 5 mobile service providers globally in terms of subscribers. In India, the company's product offerings include 2G & 3G mobile services, fixed line, high speed broadband through DSL, IPTV, DTH, enterprise services including national & international long distance services to carriers. In the rest of the geographies, it offers 2G & 3G mobile services. Bharti Airtel had over 246 million customers across its operations at the end of February 2012. To know more please visit, www.airtel.com

About ZTE
ZTE is a publicly-listed global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions with the most comprehensive product range covering virtually every telecommunications sector, including wireless, access & bearer, VAS, terminals and professional services. The company delivers innovative, custom-made products and services to over 500 operators in more than 140 countries, helping them to meet the changing needs of their customers while growing revenue. In 2011, ZTE’s revenue increased by 29 per cent increase to USD13.7 billion. Its overseas operating revenue grew 30 per cent to USD 7.4 billion during the period, accounting for 54.2 per cent of overall operating revenue. ZTE commits 10 per cent of its annual revenue to research and development and has leadership roles in several international bodies devoted to developing telecommunications industry standards. ZTE is committed to corporate social responsibility and is a member of the UN Global Compact. The company is China’s only listed telecom manufacturer that is publicly traded on both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ). For more information, please visit www.zte.com.cn.

Read the rest of this entry

Airtel digital TV (HD) bags ‘Product of the year 2012’ Award

Press Release:

New Delhi, April 2nd, 2012: Airtel digital TV (HD), the DTH service by Bharti Airtel has been recognized as ‘Product of the year 2012’, following an independent survey conducted by the leading research firm, AC Nielsen. Product of the year is an internationally recognized standard that celebrates, champions and rewards the best innovations in retail basis feedback of consumers.

Commenting on the accolade, Mr. Shashi Arora, CEO- DTH/ Media, Bharti Airtel, said, “We are honored to have received this recognition. For us, at Airtel, the genesis of all our innovations lies in the requirements of our customers. Therefore, this accolade is truly a fitting endorsement of our customer centric approach. It is also an acknowledgement of the hard work put in by our team since the launch of Airtel digital TV in India. Rest assured, we will continue to raise the bar for offering the best in digital TV for our stakeholders”.

To participate, companies have to first nominate the product which is subsequently funneled down by a panel of eminent citizens and very senior media people. The shortlisted names are put through an independent and 100% Face to Face consumer survey conducted by Nielsen across 30,000 respondents in 36 markets

About Airtel digital TV

Airtel digital TV – the DTH service from Bharti Airtel – has over 7.1 million customers and is one of the leading national level DTH service in the country which offers its customers MPEG 4 with DVBS 2 – currently the most advanced digital broadcasting technologies available in the world after HD broadcasting. Additionally, Airtel digital TV was the first to bring many firsts to the DTH segment in India including a Universal Remote which operates both the Set Top Box and TV set, as well as several unique Interactive Applications. Airtel digital TV recorder was the first to offer the capability to record live television, anytime, anywhere. Airtel has the highest number of Asli HD channels in its portfolio. All this is backed by 24x7 customer care. Airtel digital TV launched its services in October 2008.

About Bharti Airtel Limited

Bharti Airtel Limited is a leading integrated telecommunications company with operations in 19 countries across Asia and Africa. Headquartered in New Delhi, India the company ranks amongst the top 5 mobile service providers globally in terms of subscribers. In India, the company's product offerings include 2G & 3G mobile services, fixed line, high speed broadband through DSL, IPTV, DTH, enterprise services including national & international long distance services to carriers. In the rest of the geographies, it offers 2G & 3G mobile services. Bharti Airtel had over 244 million customers across its operations at the end of January 2012. To know more please visit, www.airtel.com

Read the rest of this entry

Airtel launches exciting offers for its prepaid mobile customers

(Press Release)

Guwahati, March 27th, 2012: Bharti Airtel, a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 19 countries across Asia and Africa, today announced the launch of unique and innovative Packs - Message Mania RCV 11 & Talk around the Clock RCV 29- for maximum benefit of texting and talking respectively.


The new offer by Airtel, RC29, comes with 120 local Airtel-to-Airtel minutes for the Prepaid customers in Assam, to talk throughout the day and night, making the effective cost in this pack as 24 paise per minute only. This pack is available at Rs 29 only and is valid for 5 days.


Another new pack which is being introduced for customers in both Assam and North East is the Message Mania SMS PACK 11 which the customer can avail with a recharge of Rs.11 only and get 110 Local and National sms across all networks. This pack is valid for 3 days. This low denomination recharge coupon by Airtel, offers great sms usage and has been introduced to deliver greater value for the masses..

Commenting on the launch of these packs, George Mathen, CEO NESA, Bharti Airtel said, “At Airtel, it is our constant endeavor to offer products and services that are innovative, affordable and relevant for our customers. We are confident that the launch of these Packs will offer great value for friends on Airtel and allow them to keep in touch with each other at affordable prices”.

Airtel has been bringing various schemes and packs to its customers in the region from time to time to delight its customers. With these offers Airtel mobile customers in Assam and North East will now be able to enjoy a world class network experience and stay in touch with one another at even more affordable prices. So what are you waiting for, subscribe to Airtel’s new Packs and enjoy exciting rates and benefit of texting, to keep connected with your friends and family!



About Bharti Airtel Limited

Bharti Airtel Limited is a leading integrated telecommunications company with operations in 19 countries across Asia and Africa. Headquartered in New Delhi, India, the company ranks amongst the top 5 mobile service providers globally in terms of subscribers. In India, the company's product offerings include 2G & 3G mobile services, fixed line, high speed broadband through DSL, IPTV, DTH, enterprise services including national & international long distance services to carriers. In the rest of the geographies, it offers 2G & 3G mobile services. Bharti Airtel had over 246 million customers across its operations at the end of February 2012. To know more please visit, www.airtel.com


For further details, please contact:

Anjuli Chittaranjan
Head Internal & Corporate Communications & CSR NESA Bharti Airtel Ltd
Ph No. 99540 49398 / 0361 2363142 (fax)

Read the rest of this entry

Airtel brings LIVE aarti from Maa Balmeshwari Temple of Chhattisgarh

(Press Release) Indore : Bharti Airtel, a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 19 countries across Asia and Africa, today announced the launch of LIVE aarti from Maa Balmeshwari Temple of Chhattisgarh - a unique service that allows Airtel mobile customers across Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to tune into a real-time audio feed of Live Aartis being recited at the temple as per the prayer schedule of the deity.


Mr. Rajnish Kaul, Chief Executive Officer, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Bharti Airtel Ltd said, “At Airtel, it is our constant endeavour to introduce services that are innovative, affordable and relevant for our customers across India. In line with this, we are excited to announce the launch of LIVE aarti from Maa Balmeshwari Temple of Chhattisgarh and are confident that our customers across MPCG will see great value from leveraging this service during the current navratri season”.





From subscribing to this all new service, Airtel mobile customers across Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh will now be able to leverage their mobile phones to experience LIVE aarti from the famous Maa Balmeshwari Temple without traveling long distances and waiting in queues. To enjoy this unique service, Airtel mobile customers can dial 55255 and subscribe to unlimited audio feed of the LIVE aarti at Rs. 6.50 for a period of 5 days at a cost of. In case the customer calls at a time when no prayers are scheduled, he can listen to the re-telecast of earlier prayers from the same pilgrimage or opt to listen to prayers from Shirdi Sai Baba Temple or Shani Shignapur Temple free of cost.



Maa Bamleshwari temple is one of the most popular temples situated in Chhattisgarh. The temple is situated on top of a 1600 feet high hill. Devotees have to ascend 1100 stairs in order to arrive at this holy destination. Airtel already offers live audio feeds from several major shrines of India including Sai Baba, Shirdi, Tirupati Balaji Temple, Siddhi Vinayak, Mumbai and Bangla Saheb, Delhi.



About Bharti Airtel:



Bharti Airtel Limited is a leading integrated telecommunications company with operations in 19 countries across Asia and Africa. Headquartered in New Delhi, India, the company ranks amongst the top 5 mobile service providers globally in terms of subscribers. In India, the company's product offerings include 2G & 3G mobile services, fixed line, high speed broadband through DSL, IPTV, DTH, enterprise services including national & international long distance services to carriers. In the rest of the geographies, it offers 2G & 3G mobile services. Bharti Airtel had over 246 million customers across its operations at the end of February 2012. To know more please visit, www.airtel.com



Puneet Gupta, Head – Public Relations, MPCG
Bharti Airtel Ltd,
+91 98930 49161

Read the rest of this entry