Micromax announces partnership with BSNL

Domestic handset maker Micromax yesterday said it would partner with state-run telecom firm BSNL to offer free internet access on select devices in a bid to increase data usage in the country, PTI reported.

Under the partnership, BSNL would offer free data usage of up to 2GB per quarter for 12 months on smartphones, free voice calls (on net) on feature phones and other freebies on purchase of Micromax tablets and data cards.

The offer would be available on six Micromax devices -- X070, X088 (feature phones), P410i (tablet), MMX377G (datacard), A37 and A37B (smartphones).

According to Micromax CEO Vineet Taneja, the collaboration would be an excellent unification of BSNL's offerings and Micromax's design capability thus allowing millions of Indian consumers to enjoy seamless connectivity through data usage, affordable call rates and other VAS services.

The partnership will further provide a major boost to better connectivity and internet adoption as BSNL's pan-India network coupled with the company's devices, backed by a strong channel and retail presence which would take the offerings across length and breadth of the country, he added.

According to BSNL CMD A N Rai, the association would create immense opportunities for customers by offering them high speed 3G data. BSNL had already provided 3G coverage across over 2,300 cities and towns of India and was committed to provide 3G coverage to additional towns.

Under the partnership, Micromax and BSNL would extend unique reverse bundling handset offers of free data usage of up to 2GB per quarter to its subscribers, The Financial Express reported.

A N Rai, CMD, BSNL, said, BSNL's association with Micromax, one of the largest indigenous mobile handset and data card manufacturers in the country, would create immense opportunities for customers by offering them high speed 3G data.

He added, BSNL had already provided 3G coverage across over 2,300 cities and towns of India and remained committed to provide 3G coverage to additional towns. He added, BSNL was providing best affordable 3G data services with free roaming facility.