BSNL, Micromax partner to drive data usage in India

Domestic handset maker Micromax on Tuesday said it has partnered state-run telecom firm BSNL to offer free Internet access on select devices in a bid to drive data usage in the country.

Domestic handset maker Micromax on Tuesday said it has partnered state-run telecom firm BSNL to offer free Internet access on select devices in a bid to drive data usage in the country.

Under the partnership, BSNL will bundle 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 tablet and data cards.

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

'We are delighted to partner with BSNL, as this collaboration will be an excellent unification of BSNL's offerings and Micromax's design capability thus enabling millions of Indian consumers to enjoy seamless connectivity through data usage, affordable call rates and other VAS services,' Micromax CEO Vineet Taneja said.

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

'The association will create immense opportunities for customers by offering them high speed 3G data. BSNL has already provided 3G coverage in more than 2,300 cities and towns of India and is committed to provide 3G coverage to additional towns,' BSNL CMD A N Rai said.