India’s population long ago passed the one billion mark, and Bharti Airtel Broadband & Telephone Services is that country’s largest private broadband and telephone service provider. Thanks to a new deal, the gigantic corporation is also Google’s partner.
According to a press release, the two companies will “work together in bringing important web-based services to Airtel’s community of broadband internet customers.” Or, in other words, Google Search, Gmail, Google Talk, and Google Docs and Spreadsheets (among other things) will be bundled together and offered to almost 45 million people. Not bad, right?
“We are delighted to work with Airtel to promote the use of Google services amongst its broadband users,” said Shailesh Rao, Managing Director of Google India. Of course, Rao doesn’t think Google is the only one that’s benefiting from this arrangement. “Today’s alliance will provide an ideal platform for Airtel users to enjoy the best possible online experience with customized access to Google’s evolving suite of innovative products,” he continued.
Speaking of “evolving products” – Google’s been showing a lot of interest in the mobile market lately, which might be most obvious in its WiMAX agreement with Sprint. And all of this has revived rumors of the Google Phone. The Airtel development isn’t likely to discourage any of that chatter because, as reported by the Business Standard, “The Airtel and Google alliance also plans to extend its services and suites to . . . mobile phones in times to come.”
Big happenings in a populous country.
