Airtel, HMD Global partner to offer affordable 4G smartphones

Bharti Airtel, India's largest telecom operator by subscribers, and HMD Global entered into a partnership to offer affordable 4G smartphone options as part of Airtel's 'Mera Pehla Smartphone' initiative. The duo will offer Nokia 3 and Nokia 2 smartphones with a cashback offer of Rs 2,000 from Airtel.

Both 4G smartphones come bundled with a special Airtel recharge pack of Rs169, offering 1GB 4G data per day and unlimited calling, both local and STD.

The Nokia 3 is offered at an effective price of Rs7,499, is particularly targeted at Indian youth. Whereas, the Nokia 2, available at an effective price of Rs4,999, is positioned for offering a "great online experience".

''We are delighted to partner with Nokia to bring exciting and affordable options to customers planning to upgrade to a 4G smartphone. Nokia devices have a solid brand resonance amongst customers and we believe that the partnership offers a great proposition to customers looking for quality devices at great prices,'' Ajai Puri, Chief Operating Officer (India & South Asia) at Bharti Airtel said.

The cashback benefit of Rs 2,000 will be given to customers in two installments over 36 months. A customer needs to recharge worth Rs3,500 within the 18 months to be eligible for the first cashback installment of Rs500. Similarly, another set of recharges worth Rs3,500 over the next 18 months will make the customer eligible for the second installment of Rs1,500.

Airtel launched "Mera Pehla Smartphone" programme in October 2017 aimed at making 4G smartphones more accessible for customers. Airtel has partnered with multiple mobile handset manufacturers to build an open ecosystem of affordable 4G smartphones and bring them to market at budget friendly effective prices