Airtel, HCL tie-up for broadband

Mumbai: India's largest private sector telecom service provider Bharti Airtel has tied-up with HCL Infosystems to increase broadband penetration in the country.

As a part of the agreement, Airtel will offer broadband connection at attractive price to the new HCL personal computer buyer, a joint release by the two companies stated.

"With 2007 being declared 'Year of Broadband', Airtel is looking at innovative ways to encourage growth and adoption of broadband in India. Our tie up with HCL Infosystems is a step towards this effort," Airtel Broadband and Telephone Services President Atul Bindal said.

HCL is country's largest personal computer manufacturer. "Our tie-up with Airtel is a part of our intiative to boost PC adoption in our country," HCL Infosystems's Vice President Rajendra Kumar said.

As an agreement between the two companies, customers will be entitled to a special price for an Airtel broadband connection, while HCL will be providing discounts of up to Rs 3000 on its select products till July 31, the release added.