Bharti Airtel has announced a strategic partnership with Apple Inc. This collaboration aims to provide Airtel’s premium Wi-Fi and postpaid customers with complimentary access to Apple TV+ and Apple Music services, thereby enhancing the overall user experience.
Effective from August 27, 2024, Airtel’s home Wi-Fi subscribers enrolled in plans starting at ₹999 per month will gain access to Apple TV+. This service offers a diverse range of original series, films, documentaries, and family-oriented content. Subscribers can enjoy this content across multiple devices, ensuring flexibility and convenience. The available plans include:
- ₹999 Plan: Provides internet speeds up to 200 Mbps and includes access to over 23 over-the-top (OTT) platforms such as ZEE5, Amazon Prime Video, and Jio Hotstar, in addition to Apple TV+.
- ₹1,099 Plan: Offers the same benefits as the ₹999 plan, with the addition of over 350 high-definition TV channels.
- ₹1,599 Plan: Enhances the offering with internet speeds up to 300 Mbps, along with the benefits of the previous plans.
- ₹3,999 Plan: Delivers premium internet speeds up to 1 Gbps, catering to users with high bandwidth requirements, and includes all aforementioned benefits.
For Airtel’s postpaid mobile customers, those subscribed to plans starting at ₹999 per month will receive both Apple TV+ and a six-month complimentary subscription to Apple Music. Apple Music boasts an extensive library of over 100 million songs, featuring both Indian and international artists, along with expertly curated playlists and exclusive content. The postpaid plans offering these benefits are:
- ₹999 Plan: Includes 150 GB of data, the option to add two additional SIM cards, and access to various OTT services such as Amazon Prime Video, Jio Hotstar, and Apple TV+.
- ₹1,199 Plan: Provides 190 GB of data, three add-on SIMs, and the same entertainment benefits as the ₹999 plan.
- ₹1,399 Plan: Offers 240 GB of data, three add-on SIMs, and includes Netflix Basic in addition to the services offered in the lower-tier plans.
- ₹1,749 Plan: Features 320 GB of data, four add-on SIMs, and upgrades Netflix access to the Standard plan, along with all other benefits.
This partnership reflects a shared commitment between Airtel and Apple to deliver superior entertainment experiences to Indian consumers. Amit Tripathi, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of Customer Experience for Bharti Airtel, stated, “Apple and Airtel are natural partners who strive to bring excellence to customer experience. We also share the common vision of serving the entertainment needs of Indian users.”
Oliver Schusser, Apple’s Vice President of Apple Music, Apple TV+, Sports, and Beats, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, noting, “We are thrilled that Airtel customers in India will soon be able to enjoy all of the incredible content on Apple TV+ and Apple Music.”
This initiative comes at a time when large-screen video content consumption is rapidly increasing in India. The demand for high-quality, diverse content is evident, and this collaboration aims to meet that need by integrating Apple’s premium services into Airtel’s existing offerings. Airtel’s Xstream Fiber service already provides a vast selection of TV shows, movies, and web series, and the inclusion of Apple TV+ is set to further enrich this content library.
In addition to enhancing the entertainment portfolio for its customers, this partnership signifies a strategic move for both companies in the competitive Indian market. For Apple, collaborating with one of India’s leading telecom providers offers an opportunity to expand its user base and increase the adoption of its services in a price-sensitive market. For Airtel, integrating globally recognized content platforms like Apple TV+ and Apple Music adds significant value to its premium plans, potentially attracting a larger segment of consumers seeking comprehensive entertainment solutions.
The exclusive offers resulting from this partnership are slated to become available to Airtel customers in India later this year. As the rollout progresses, both companies are expected to provide further details on how existing and new subscribers can access these benefits. This collaboration not only enhances the value proposition for Airtel’s premium customers but also sets a precedent for similar alliances in the Indian telecom and entertainment sectors.
