Airtel slashes broadband internet rates

Bharti Airtel has announced its new package rates for internet broadband. Calling it the ''new 'true & rich' broadband experience'', the company is offering 1 mbps speeds at Rs1,699 and 512kbps speed at Rs1,099 with additional free VAS bundles worth up to Rs500 every month.

The new rates offer higher speeds at only marginal increase in rates compared to low-speed packages. The 1mbps package is only Rs100 more than the current rate for 512kbps packages, while its 512kbps package is only Rs200 more than what one pays for 256kbps packages, according to the company press release.

The free VAS bundle includes services like unlimited gaming, anti-virus software PC Secure, Airtel Speed on Demand and Online Desktop.

Commenting on the new rates, K Srinivas, joint president-Telemedia Services, Bharti Airtel, said, ''Today, customers want a reliable broadband experience that meets their unique individual needs – and Airtel's broadband plans deliver that. With this latest announcement, Airtel also adds to its rich broadband service portfolio that now includes high-speed and reliable wired broadband at 16mbps and cutting-edge products like the low-cost online computer - Net PC.''

The new plans are as follows:
 
Freedom 1699: 1 Mbps @ Rs1,699 per month, with additional free VAS worth Rs500 every month. Unlimited gaming on Games on Demand, Anti-Virus software PC Secure, Airtel Speed on Demand and Online Desktop.

Swift 1099: 512 Kbps @ Rs1,099 per month, with Free Call Value worth Rs100 per month.