Airtel forays into European market
Airtel launched its first foray in the EU market with the launch of its services in Jersey, Channel Islands.
By Sudeshna Sen, ET Online |
LONDON: The Bharti group launched its first foray in telecom in the European market on Thursday, with the launch of its services in Jersey, Channel Islands. Jersey Airtel, a subsidiary of the Bharti Group, today announced the launch of its mobile services on the Island. The company will offer products and services under the Airtel-Vodafone brand to customers on the Island, over its full 2G, 3G and HSDPA enhanced network.
Speaking to ET, Mr Sunil Mittal said; "We are making a small beginning for Bharti in the overseas market; we hope to learn a lot from it."
Jersey, along with Guernsey, is a crown property off the coast of France, is one of the world's leading offshore financial centres with an exlcusive focus on financial services, and a playground for the rich and financially famous. Jersey's GDP and per capital are among the highest in the world, topping most developed nations. The services are being launched under the Airtel-Vodafone brand name.
The company said that Sunil Bharti Mittal, chairman & Group CEO, served the first customer at the Airtel-Vodafone shop, centrally located in Queen Street, St Helier. Commenting on the launch, Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal said, "This is a special day for all of us at Bharti and we are delighted at the launch of our services in Jersey. We are committed to bringing world-class services to customers and adding value to communities and businesses on the Island."
Jersey Airtel will give European customers a taste of Indian mobile pricing and services; which are far cheaper and more flexible than what most of Europe is used to. Some of the features which are 'innovative' by European standards: Calls to key EU and other destinations (e.g. Australia and South Africa) are priced the same as Jersey land line prices. Contract bundles include minutes to all Jersey mobiles and fixed lines, to UK and Guernsey fixed lines, plus an inclusive bundle to UK and Guernsey mobiles, as well as delinks handsets from contracts.
Customers are being offered significant discounts if they choose to keep their existing handset. Pre-paid customers will get flat rates across all networks in Jersey and another flat rate to all networks across the EU including UK. All of these are still unheard of in Europe, where customers mostly have to pay higher rates for calls from mobiles, to other networks, and so on. Mr. David Watson, Chief Executive of Jersey Airtel said, "We are confident that our customers will be celebrating with us when they experience first-hand the best in global mobile telecommunications. There will be important benefits for both the Jersey consumer and business customers."
Speaking to ET, Mr Sunil Mittal said; "We are making a small beginning for Bharti in the overseas market; we hope to learn a lot from it."
Jersey, along with Guernsey, is a crown property off the coast of France, is one of the world's leading offshore financial centres with an exlcusive focus on financial services, and a playground for the rich and financially famous. Jersey's GDP and per capital are among the highest in the world, topping most developed nations. The services are being launched under the Airtel-Vodafone brand name.
The company said that Sunil Bharti Mittal, chairman & Group CEO, served the first customer at the Airtel-Vodafone shop, centrally located in Queen Street, St Helier. Commenting on the launch, Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal said, "This is a special day for all of us at Bharti and we are delighted at the launch of our services in Jersey. We are committed to bringing world-class services to customers and adding value to communities and businesses on the Island."
Jersey Airtel will give European customers a taste of Indian mobile pricing and services; which are far cheaper and more flexible than what most of Europe is used to. Some of the features which are 'innovative' by European standards: Calls to key EU and other destinations (e.g. Australia and South Africa) are priced the same as Jersey land line prices. Contract bundles include minutes to all Jersey mobiles and fixed lines, to UK and Guernsey fixed lines, plus an inclusive bundle to UK and Guernsey mobiles, as well as delinks handsets from contracts.
Customers are being offered significant discounts if they choose to keep their existing handset. Pre-paid customers will get flat rates across all networks in Jersey and another flat rate to all networks across the EU including UK. All of these are still unheard of in Europe, where customers mostly have to pay higher rates for calls from mobiles, to other networks, and so on. Mr. David Watson, Chief Executive of Jersey Airtel said, "We are confident that our customers will be celebrating with us when they experience first-hand the best in global mobile telecommunications. There will be important benefits for both the Jersey consumer and business customers."
Start a SIP with as low as ₹500 with ET Money App!
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
