Bharti Airtel launched its 3G services in the north Karnataka towns of Hubli, Dharwad and Belgaum on Thursday.
Mr V. Venkatesh, CEO - Karnataka Circle, mobile services, Bharti Airtel, told newspersons that Airtel's largest mobile customer base in Karnataka was in north Karnataka.
The north Karnataka region accounts for over 30 per cent of Airtel's customer base with GPRS connectivity. The region also has the second-largest number of 3G-enabled handsets in the State after Bangalore city. Mr Venkatesh said, “Also, with 50 per cent of retailers in the region selling Airtel GPRS packs, this is a very apt region for the availability of 3G services.”
For existing 2G customers in north Karnataka who want to experience Internet on 3G for a short while, the company plans to launch the Payg VBC plan (pay as you go), Sachet plans to drive mass trial and adoption. The Standard plan targeted at mid to high-end data users will have a validity of 30 days. A flexi-shield plan offers a combination of free data use and low in-built VBC rates.